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1961 JFK Inauguration Guide Book — Signed by President Kennedy & Vice President Johnson
INAUGURATION 1961 GUIDE BOOK
SIGNED BY PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY
& VICE PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON
Complimentary Issue — Issued by the Hospitality Committee
✓ 100% Positive response ⭐ 261 Positive Reviews 🏛 Member 26 Years
Front cover: “Inauguration 1961 — Guide Book — Complimentary Issue.” JFK’s inscription “With warm regards John Kennedy” above his portrait; Lyndon B. Johnson’s full signature below his portrait.
Back cover: John Fitzgerald Kennedy inauguration medal and Presidential Seal. “Issued by Hospitality Committee, 511 Liberty Loan Building, Washington 25, D.C. — Mrs. Katie Louchheim, Chairman.”
⚠ THE DAWN OF CAMELOT
On January 20, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy stood on the East Portico of the United States Capitol and delivered one of the most consequential inaugural addresses in American history. At 43, he was the youngest person ever elected president. The temperature was 22°F. Eight inches of snow had fallen the night before. Robert Frost read a poem. Marian Anderson sang the national anthem.
And then Kennedy spoke the words that would define a generation: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
This guide book was issued by the Hospitality Committee for the inauguration ceremony and festivities. It bears the personal inscription and signature of President Kennedy — “With warm regards John Kennedy” — and the full signature of Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. Both signatures appear on the front cover, directly beside the men’s official portraits.
John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 — less than three years after this inauguration. He was 46 years old. Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as president aboard Air Force One that same afternoon. Both signers of this guide book are now dead — Kennedy since 1963, Johnson since 1973.
★ ★ ★ 2Signatures 35thPresident
Kennedy 36thPresident
Johnson Jan 201961
Inauguration Day 64Years Since
This Day★ ★ ★ THE SIGNERS
John F. Kennedy
35th President of the United States
1961–1963
Lyndon B. Johnson
37th Vice President / 36th President
1961–1969
WHO THEY WERE
John F. Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963) — The 35th President of the United States, inaugurated on the very day this guide book was issued. At 43, he was the youngest man ever elected to the office and the first Catholic president. A decorated World War II naval hero (PT-109), Pulitzer Prize–winning author (Profiles in Courage), and charismatic leader who embodied a new era of American optimism.
In his brief presidency, Kennedy established the Peace Corps, confronted the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis, initiated the Apollo program to land a man on the Moon, championed the Civil Rights movement, and signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. He was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 at the age of 46 — less than three years after this inauguration.
Kennedy inscribed this guide book “With warm regards John Kennedy.” Inscribed JFK items — as opposed to simple signatures — are exceptionally rare and command significant premiums at sale. A privately printed copy of Kennedy’s inaugural address, signed and inscribed as president, sold at RR sale for $26,575. His candidacy manuscript brought $200,000.
Lyndon B. Johnson (August 27, 1908 – January 22, 1973) — Kennedy’s Vice President, who became the 36th President following JFK’s assassination. A Texan and former Senate Majority Leader, Johnson was one of the most consequential legislators in American history. As president, he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, created Medicare and Medicaid, launched the War on Poverty and the Great Society, and oversaw the passage of more landmark domestic legislation than any president since FDR.
On inauguration day 1961, Johnson stood beside Kennedy as the new administration began. Thirty-four months later, he would take the oath of office aboard Air Force One, standing beside Jackie Kennedy, still wearing the pink Chanel suit stained with her husband’s blood.
THE INAUGURATION: JANUARY 20, 1961
Kennedy’s inauguration was one of the most memorable in American history. Among the highlights:
The Weather: A heavy snowstorm the night before deposited eight inches of snow on Washington. The temperature at noon was 22°F (−6°C) with a wind chill near 7°F. Hundreds of cars were stranded overnight. The Army Corps of Engineers deployed 1,000 men and flamethrowers to clear the parade route.
Robert Frost: The 86-year-old poet laureate was invited to read “The Gift Outright” — the first time a poet had participated in a presidential inauguration. The sun’s glare on the snow was so blinding that Frost could not read his new dedicatory poem and instead recited “The Gift Outright” from memory.
The Address: At 1,366 words, Kennedy’s inaugural address is among the shortest in history — and widely regarded as the greatest since Lincoln’s. The speech produced two of the most quoted lines in American political history: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country” and “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”
The Inaugural Balls: Five inaugural balls were held that evening. Frank Sinatra organized the pre-inaugural gala, with performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Milton Berle, and Jimmy Durante.
Firsts: Kennedy was the first Catholic inaugurated as president, the first president born in the 20th century, and the youngest elected president in American history. He replaced Dwight Eisenhower, who at 70 was at that time the oldest president — the visual contrast between the two men on the Capitol steps symbolized a generational transfer of power.
KENNEDY MEMORABILIA AT sale Itemsale HousePrice JFK’s Omega inauguration watch (worn Jan 20, 1961)Guernsey’s$350,000 JFK’s 1963 presidential convertibleRR sale$318,000 JFK handwritten candidacy manuscriptRR sale$200,000 Jackie’s inauguration ring to JFK (“J.B.K to J.F.K”)RR sale$90,000 Inaugural humidor from Milton Berle (Jan 20, 1961)Sotheby’s$574,500 Inaugural Address book, signed & inscribed as PresidentRR sale$26,575 JFK & Jackie signed 1962 Christmas bookRR sale$34,913 1961 inaugural invitation packet (unsigned)RR sale$250
“LET THE WORD GO FORTH FROM THIS TIME AND PLACE, TO FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE, THAT THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED TO A NEW GENERATION OF AMERICANS.”
The 35th President of the United States and his Vice President — who would become the 36th President thirty-four months later — both signed this guide book on the day that Camelot began. Inscribed by Kennedy. Signed by Johnson. Preserved in protective sleeve for over six decades.
ITEM DETAILS
Item: “Inauguration 1961 — Guide Book — Complimentary Issue.” Issued by the Hospitality Committee, 511 Liberty Loan Building, 14th & D Streets, S.W., Washington 25, D.C. Mrs. Katie Louchheim, Chairman. Features portraits of Kennedy and Johnson on the front cover and the JFK inauguration medal and Presidential Seal on the back cover.
Signatures: John F. Kennedy — inscribed “With warm regards John Kennedy” beside his portrait. Lyndon B. Johnson — full “Lyndon B. Johnson” signature beside his portrait.
Condition: Guide book is preserved in a protective plastic sleeve. Shows age-appropriate toning consistent with a 64-year-old document. Both signatures are bold, clear, and fully legible. Cover intact with original printing sharp and readable.
Authentication: Professional third-party authentication available.
💳 FLEXIBLE FINANCING AVAILABLE AT CHECKOUT
This item is eligible for monthly financing through Klarna, built directly into 's checkout — no additional applications or approvals from us required.
Spread your purchase over 6, 12, 18, or 24 months with manageable monthly payments. For example, at a purchase price of $14,999, your payments could be approximately $687/month over 24 months — less than many car payments for an irreplaceable piece of music history.
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Visit our store: AutographTreasure — Authenticated vintage memorabilia for serious collectors
📦 SHIPPING & POLICIES
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4) This is the only way we know to ensure against claims that the package never arrived, someone stole the package, the package did not get delivered, or someone somehow other than the buyer signed for it. To ensure you receive this safely and without dispute, we ship exclusively to FedEx Office locations for in-person pickup with government-issued ID. We will coordinate the nearest FedEx location to you prior to payment. This protocol protects both buyer and seller and guarantees chain-of-custody documentation for an item of this significance.
This item is fully insured for its declared value during transit. Chain-of-custody documentation is maintained throughout shipment.
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