AUCTION CLOSES NOVEMBER 26TH
4/10/1961: President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President Dave Powers look at a baseball during the opening game of the 1961 baseball season at Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. Also pictured are Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen of Illinois (behind Powers) and Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield of Montana (behind President Kennedy) Abbie Rowe/ JFK Presidential Library and Museum. (uspresidentialhistory.com)
Kennedy's playful inscription, written in bold black ink on the first free page, reads: “To my old pal Dave Powers who is noted for his Courage if not his Profile – With best regards, John Kennedy.” The message speaks to JFK’s relationship with Powers, who was known for his loyalty, quick wit, and unwavering support. As JFK’s trusted right-hand man, Powers was instrumental in organizing presidential trips and events and helping to shape JFK’s public image, becoming a cherished member of Kennedy’s inner circle and a link between JFK and the American people.
As JFK’s longtime friend and aide, Powers first knew the president as a young congressman with dreams of transforming the nation. Powers met Kennedy during his congressional campaign in 1946, and they quickly became inseparable. Through the highs and lows of Kennedy’s political career, Powers was there, standing by his side, offering support and ensuring JFK’s vision reached the people. With Kennedy’s witty inscription, this copy of Profiles in Courage is a tribute to their invaluable friendship.
“David Powers and JFK” Argenta Images via jfkwitnesses.omeka.net
10/10/1963: Special Assistant to the President, Dave Powers, visits with John F. Kennedy, Jr., in the Cabinet Room of the White House (Cecil Stoughton/ JFK Presidential Library and Museum)
This first edition of Profiles in Courage, published in 1956, celebrates the bravery of American senators who defied public opinion to stand up for their principles. For JFK, the values reflected weren’t just academic; they shaped his own approach to leadership. It’s easy to see why he chose to gift a copy to Powers, a man who embodied loyalty and who played an essential role in bringing JFK’s ideals to fruition.
The book itself is in excellent condition, with only minor wear to the dust jacket and light toning on the interior pages. This fine condition enhances its appeal to collectors, making it one of the most desirable association-signed copies of Profiles in Courage ever to come to market. For those seeking a piece that’s both rare and rich in historical significance, this book is an unparalleled artifact.
AF1 Photographer, “David Powers and JFK (1),” JFK Witnesses, accessed October 27, 2024, https://jfkwitnesses.omeka.net/items/show/426.
Powers' dedication to Kennedy’s legacy didn’t end with the president’s life. After JFK’s assassination in 1963, Powers devoted himself to preserving his friend’s memory, playing a pivotal role in establishing the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. As curator, he worked tirelessly to maintain JFK’s legacy, ensuring future generations would understand the profound impact Kennedy had on American politics and culture. The inscribed Profiles in Courage thus serves as a reminder not only of JFK’s ideals but also of Powers’ lifelong dedication to those ideals.
For collectors, this piece is more than a literary collectible. It is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between two men who shaped one of the most inspiring eras in American history, a book that captures JFK’s humor, leadership, and gratitude for a friend who stood by him through it all.
Don’t miss the chance to bid on this exceptional piece of American history. In acquiring JFK’s Profiles in Courage inscribed to Dave Powers, you'll be preserving a story of courage, friendship, and loyalty.This is your opportunity to be a custodian of history, to own a relic from Camelot, and to celebrate the impact of John F. Kennedy.
AUCTION CLOSES NOVEMBER 26TH
COLLECTING CAMELOT: THE KENNEDY LEGACY