John F. Kennedy

Remarkable pairing of Kennedy items from the estate of an Senator Eugene McCarthy's secretary, including a signed Air Force One preflight report and a bill-signing pen:
The "Preflight Report" for President Kennedy's flight from Andrews Air Force Base to Stewart Air Force Base on September 24, 1963, filled out and signed by Air Force One commander Col. James B. Swindal, one page, 5 x 8, signed in various inks by the president and members of his flight party: John F. Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, Hubert H. Humphrey, Stewart Udall, Dave Powers, Ken O'Donnell, and Gaylord Nelson. A typed cover letter memo, dated September 27, 1963, is stapled to the upper left corner: "For: Gene McCarthy, From: Hubert Humphrey, Here is the Preflight Report signed by J.F.K." The president's party took off from Andrews at noon, arriving at Stewart at 12:39. From there, Kennedy traveled with several government officials and the painter Mary Pinchot Meyer—with whom he reportedly had a secret affair—to the Pinchot Institute in Milford, Pennsylvania, where he gave an address to dedicate the Institute of Conservation Studies. Meyer, whose husband was a CIA operative, was murdered under mysterious circumstances less than a year after the assassination of President Kennedy. Kennedy's involvement with Mary Pinchot Meyer has been fuel for conspiracy-minded investigators amateur and otherwise ever since.
The classic 'bill signer' Esterbrook dipping pen was used by President Kennedy to sign a "Wild Life Conservation bill," according to a contemporary laminated newspaper clipping [presumably the amendment to the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to limit the drainage of wetlands, signed on October 2, 1962]. The pen measures 6.25? long and features a black plastic grip with a Lucite handle imprinted with "The President—The White House." The included newspaper clipping, under the headline, "Local Woman Has Pen Used By President," reads, in part: "The distinctive pen used by the President formed one stroke of the Chief Executive's signature as he put into law the Wild Life Conservation bill on Oct. 2. Mrs. Stack's daughter, Jean Stack is secretary to Senator Eugene J. McCarthy, sponsor of the bill. The ceremony was witnessed by the U. S. Senator who in turn presented the pen to his secretary. The bill is design[ed] to aid in the preservation of wildlife in the U.S. and its territories."
In overall fine condition. An outstanding pairing of items associated with President Kennedy's progressive efforts in conservation, as well as the darker side of his legacy.

Format: Signed Flight Report and Signing Pen