The book Profiles in Courage features profiles of eight senators who exemplified honor and integrity with their courageous stands on controversial issues of their times. The book was wildly successful, shooting right to the top of the Best Seller’s list upon its publication in 1955. Two years later it was awarded (with some backroom wrangling by the authors’ father) the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. The book has the distinction of appearing on the Best Seller’s list two subsequent times: 1961 when Kennedy was elected President and again after his assassination in 1963. The book’s popularity was such that it even spawned a television series that aired from 1964 to 1965.

This is a first edition of the 3-time best seller, and what’s more it has been signed and inscribed by its author. Kennedy has signed the book “To Jim Schendel With My Best Wishes” in bold black pen. Since the signature and inscription was protected within this volume for more than half a century, the ink remains bold and fresh. The page shows edge wear and light staining, most noticeably to the top right of “Schendel” and at the very far left bottom corner of the page, well away from the Kennedy’s signature. The book shows good use with edge wear and toning to the pages and the dust jacket displays cracking, creases and light tears along the edge, yet the colors remain bright. The volume is accompanied by a signed typed letter from then Senator Kennedy to Jim Schendel, the collector whom it is inscribed to. The letter is on Kennedy’s personal United States Senate letterhead and is dated May 18, 1956. The letter tanks Schendel for his interest in a signed copy of his book and mentions an illness that has sidelined the book collector. Kennedy’s signature is in strong black pen. The letter shows toning from age along with two horizontal folds from mailing. There is a slight tear along the bottom left edge and some light edge dings. There is an area of heavier toning on the right bottom portion but none that affects Kennedy’s signature. The book and accompanying letter come with LOAs from PSA/DNA (AB13772 & AB13773) for the signatures.

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