478A. JOHN F. KENNEDY GOLD 1960 CAMPAIGN PRESENTATION WATCH An intimate, important Kennedy presidential relic, a gold watch presented to the aspiring president by members of the Democratic National Committee and worn by candidate Kennedy during his successful 1960 campaign for the White House! The watch is a 14K gold calendar Benrus wristwatch, 39 jewels, self-winding, 1 3/8" diameter, marked as dust and water-proof and still in working order. The reverse of the case is engraved in period style font: "TO OUR NEXT PRESIDENT J.F.K.". The watch bears an expanding gilt band, possibly original, and the watch crystal, case and band show only light scuffing, entirely consistent with use. This exceptional, very personal presidential relic has sterling provenance that places it with absolute certainty on Kennedy's wrist during his bitter 1960 campaign against Richard Nixon. Accompanying the watch is a letter of provenance from DAVID POWERS (1912-1998), Special Assistant to his close friend, President John F. Kennedy. Powers was with Kennedy from the start: he campaigned with Kennedy in every one of Kennedy's political contests, listening to Kennedy's first political speech in Boston in 1946 and his last in Fort Worth in 1963. Powers was riding in a car behind Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, and later was instrumental in arranging Kennedy's funeral. Following his retirement from the White House in 1965, Powers became full-time curator of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Powers died on March 27, 1998, and his funeral was attended by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy, Jr. In his undated letter which accompanies the watch, Powers attests to the authenticity of the watch. In full; "Senator John F. Kennedy won the nomination on July 13, 1960 and several weeks later received a Benrus watch from some members of the D.N.C. The watch is inscribed: 'To our next President - J.F.K.'. He wore the watch during the campaign for the presidency. He found the watch band heavy and loose. He almost lost the watch several times while riding in motorcades and shaking hands along the way. [Signed] Dave Powers Campaign Aide Presidential Asst. Curator Emeritis [sic]". The watch and several signed Kennedy books were offered by Powers in Sotheby's New York auction of "Fine Books and Manuscripts" on November 25, 1997 (and so noted in the catalog). The purchaser of the watch at the time, who is our consignor, undertook further research. In September, 2000 he undertook a conversation with an archivist at the John F. Kennedy Library concerning the watch. The archivist stated that Powers had told him that after Kennedy won the election but before his inauguration, Powers had told Kennedy that his own watch had broken. Kennedy removed this watch and handed it to Powers, saying "Keep this". Powers did indeed keep the watch until offering it for sale at Sotheby's. The watch is accompanied by much relevant documentation, including Powers' original letter of provenance, the Sotheby's lot tag attached to the watch, the box in which the watch was delivered by Powers to Sotheby's, the consignor's bid form and a copy of his original paid invoice from Sotheby's, a notarized letter from the consignor concerning his conversation with the archivist (who is named within), and the original Sotheby's catalog for the sale. One can only imagine Kennedy during his hectic campaign constantly referring to this important timepiece to help him manage his crucial schedule. At Guernsey's December 15, 2005 auction of Kennedy memorabilia from the collection of Robert L. White, the watch worn by Kennedy on the day he was inaugurated fetched $420,000, and is now being reproduced for sale! This equally important relic, with ironclad provenance, is offered at a much lower estimate to accommodate all collectors. $100,000 - 150,000