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Kansas City Collections: Art, Antiques, & Jewelry

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  2025-06-21 11:00:00 2025-06-21 11:00:00 America/New_York Circle Auction Circle Auction : Kansas City Collections: Art, Antiques, & Jewelry https://bid.circle-auction.com/auctions/circle-auction/kansas-city-collections-art-antiques-jewelry-17208
Circle Auction presents Kansas City Collections, a curation of fine art, antiques, and jewelry. Artwork includes over a dozen Thomas Hart Benton lithographs; original paintings by Birger Sandzen, John Falter, Wilbur Niewald, Robert Sudlow, Daniel MacMorris, Victor Gilbert, Francois Gall, and Alfred de Breanski; and signed prints by Rockwell Kent, C.A. Seward, Norma Bassett Hall, Gene Kloss, and Doel Reed. Antiques include a collection of sterling julep cups, 19th century firearms, fine jewelry, gold coins, sterling silverware, fine porcelain and art glass, furniture and decorative arts. Circle Auction info@circle-auction.com
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JFK Signed 1963 Letter on Racial Discrimination
Lot 3

JFK Signed 1963 Letter on Racial Discrimination

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A typed letter on White House letterhead signed by President John F. Kennedy, dated June 15, 1963. The letter is addressed to Knoxville News-Sentinel editor Loye Miller Sr., commending him for an editorial advocating for racial equality. The original envelope is taped down to the back of the frame. The glazed frame measures 14 3/4" x 11 1/2".

 

Mr. Miller opened his editorial: "The time has come when Knoxville, an All-American city, opened up to all Americans." He went on to conclude, "Discrimination in use of facilities open to the public cannot be harbored by anyone who really believe in either the Christian religion or the Constitution of the United States -- or in democracy." Below is the President's response to Miller. The exchange was documented in a 2020 Knoxville News-Sentinel retrospective entitled "The News Sentinel and race relations in Knoxville in photos."

 

"Dear Mr. Miller:

I have seen the editorial which appeared in the May 15 issue of The Knoxville News-Sentinel urging the city to "open up" and admit all on a non-discriminatory basis to business establishments which serve the public.

The voice of a local newspaper can be one of the most powerful influences in aiding communities in meeting the legitimate desire of Negro citizens for equal treatment and opportunity. I hope that your efforts in Knoxville will be successful and commend you and your newspaper for the leadership you have evidenced in advocating a policy of equality for all.

Sincerely,

John Kennedy"

Condition

The letter remains in good condition, noting one faint spot along the "White House" header.

Overall Dimensions
Height: 14.75 in
Width: 11.50 in
Depth: 1.00 in

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