Books and Manuscripts

Exceptionally Rare Inscribed Photo of the 1960 Presidential Debate

Kennedy, John F., and Richard Nixon
Inscribed Photograph of the 1960 Presidential Debate
No place, 1960. Photograph, signed and inscribed by John F. Kennedy, in blue ink, and Richard Nixon, in red ink, to Oliver Treyz, President of ABC Network: “To Oliver Treyz with every good wish from Dick Nixon” and “For Oliver Treyz with very warm regards John Kennedy--1960”. 11 x 11 in. (279 x 279 mm). Mounted onto beveled-edge board. In mat and in frame, 15 x 15 in. (381 x 381 mm).

An incredibly rare inscribed photograph of the first-ever televised presidential debate, between Democratic Senator John F. Kennedy and Republican Vice President Richard Nixon—signed by each candidate in blue and red ink (respective of their political party colors) for the President of the ABC Network, Oliver Treyz (1918-98). Treyz was a key player in the organization of their historic debate. In early 1960, he, along with NBC President Frank Stanton, testified before Congress to urge them to suspend Section 315(a) of the Federal Communications Act of 1934. Section 315(a) enforced an “equal-time clause” between all political candidates, and with its suspension a debate solely between the two major party candidates was possible. As the head of one of the Big Three networks, Treyz’s lobbying was successful (Congress suspended the clause in August, 1960) and he helped set into motion what would go on to be considered one of “the most significant, groundbreaking American campaign events of the twentieth century” (Self, The First Debate over the Debates…, p. 361)

Held in Studio One at CBS' Chicago station, WBBM, on September 26, 1960, Kennedy and Nixon became the first presidential candidates in American history to engage in a televised debate. The event was the first of four televised one-hour debates between the men, held weekly from September 26 to October 21. The first debate drew over 70 million viewers—two-thirds of America’s adult population at that time—while it has been estimated that upwards of 125 million American viewers watched one or all of the debates. It was the largest viewed event in history at that time. Moderated by journalist Howard K. Smith, each candidate delivered an eight-minute opening statement, followed by questions from a panel of four newsmen—Sander Vanocur, Charles Warren, Stuart Novins, and Bob Fleming—and ended with a three-minute closing statement. The subject of the debate was domestic policy, and covered issues such as education, health-care, farming, the economy, labor, and the Cold War. 

Going into the debate Nixon was considered the favorite, as he was Eisenhower's Vice President for eight years and had shown his command of televised performance with his 1952 “Checkers Speech.” But, come the night of the contest, he was still recovering from an illness and recent hospital visit, and then refused makeup and a pre-production meeting. Consequently, his sickly appearance and poor showmanship was received negatively by viewers, even though radio listeners thought otherwise based on his responses. Kennedy, in contrast, was extensively prepared for the on-camera performance, and his charisma and youthful appearance led most viewers to perceive him as the victor. Years later, Treyz recalled talking to Nixon shortly before the debate went live, with the Vice President telling him he had a high fever and was on antibiotics. When Treyz suggested they cancel or postpone the show, Nixon cut back, "No, people will think I'm chicken." 

The debate proved to be a groundbreaking event in American political and media history, and is credited with helping catapult Kennedy to the White House as the youngest-ever elected president. 

Oliver Treyz was President of ABC from 1956-1962, during which time he transformed the then floundering network into a formidable rival of NBC and CBS. His novel marketing strategies and roster of hour-long primetime programs, heavy on westerns and law enforcement dramas, such as Adventures in Paradise, 77 Sunset Strip, Cheyenne, The Real McCoys, Hawaiian Eye, and Maverick, made the network popular with a younger audience. His tenure was not without controversy, and he was asked to step down following the 1961 broadcast of the show Bus Stop, whose graphic violence drew national protests and an FCC Congressional hearing, in which Treyz sparred with Senator Thomas J. Dodd.

Very rare, we can find only one other example ever at auction according to RBH.