Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - January - 2008 Issue
Many Autographed Documents from David Schulson
Ho Chi Minh, in his "Uncle Ho" role.
She was the epitome of style and elegance, perhaps like no other woman. After all no other woman like her had ever been married to the President of the United States. Half a century later, the nation is still fascinated with her. Item 50 is a long letter from Jacqueline Kennedy, circa 1955, while still a senator's wife. It is seven pages long, written on hotel stationary while she was in Rome. It was written to a couple evidently interested in working for the Kennedys as butler and maid. Mrs. Kennedy writes in detail about their living habits and frequent travel, and explains the requirements of the positions. She notes, "My husband is in politics -- and often has to work late at his office... As our life is fairly hectic -- it would be nice to have people with us who knew our habits..." The letter is signed, "Mrs. John F. Kennedy." $3,850.
Here is a photograph that will stir few pleasant memories for Americans. It is a grandfatherly-looking photograph of Ho Chi Minh, placing a scarf around the shoulders of a young girl (like it was some sort of girl scout sash). Ho was a revolutionary who became the leader of what was then North Vietnam in 1955 after independence from France was achieved. In the 1960s, the United States, supporting his rival regime in South Vietnam, went to war against Ho and his Communists. Little need be said about that war. It dragged on for many years, and in 1975 the last of the Americans left, certainly not in victory. Ho didn't live to see it, as he passed on in 1969. This photograph displays the Vietnamese leader in his "Uncle Ho" image, a view still held by many Vietnamese today. Others see him as a mass murderer. This photograph, in keeping with the image Ho preferred, is inscribed, "Best love from Oncle Hochi Minh." Item 42. $6,500.
David Schulson Autographs may be visited online at http://schulsonautographs.com, or called at 973-379-3800.
