[Presidential] [Kennedy, John F.] Sinatra, Frank, and Ella Fitzgerald, and Harry Belafonte, et al. John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Gala Program, signed

Washington, D.C.: The Armory, January 19, 1961. Printed program for the "Inaugural Gala In Honor of the Inauguration of The Honorable John Fitzgerald Kennedy The Honorable Lyndon Baines Johnson...", signed by most of the evenings performers. 4to. Unpaginated (20 leaves). Illustrated with black and white portraits, including the Kennedys and Johnsons, as well as the night's performers, and signed (in order) by Helen Traubel, Harry Belafonte, Milton Berle, Leonard Bernstein, Joey Bishop, Nat King Cole, Tony Curtis, Bette Davis, Jimmy Durante, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Alan King, Janey Leigh, Frederic March, Ethel Merman, Sir Laurence Olivier, Sidney Poitier, Keely Smith (inscribed to Art Sands, the autographs collector) and Louis Prima, Juliet Prowse, Anthony Quinn, and Frank Sinatra. Stapled on inner front wrapper are Sand's printed Inaugural Ball and Gala tickets. Original printed wrappers, gold spine cord and tassel, signed on front wrapper by Sands, scattered creasing and light wear, split along foot of spine, tassel detached but present.

The Inaugural Gala honoring President-elect John F. Kennedy took place on January 19, 1961 at the Washington, D.C. Armory, the night before the inauguration. Organized by Peter Lawford and Frank Sinatra, it was a star-studded event, remembered as one of the best and most glamorous parties ever held in Washington. The show was directed by Roger Edens, who was assisted by Kay Thompson. The performers represented a cross-section of the best in entertainment, including performances by Leonard Bernstein, Broadway legend Ethel Merman, comedians Milton Berle and Alan King, and others. As Kennedy was a defender of Civil Rights, the Star Spangled Banner was sung by Mahalia Jackson, and later performances included Ella Fitzgerald, as well as Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier. Notably, a performance by several members of the Rat Pack, including Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Frank Sinatra, then at the height of his fame.

This is a rare and likely unique assembly of autographs from this notable event. We cannot locate another similar example.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[Presidential] [Kennedy, John F.] Sinatra, Frank, and Ella Fitzgerald, and Harry Belafonte, et al. John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Gala Program, signed