American Presidential Theme at Sworders’ Upcoming Books Auction

Sworders’ Books, Manuscripts, Autographs and Maps auction, running October 18 - 27 includes a private collection of books and first day covers signed by preeminent US politicians.

The collection, assembled by the UK vendor over the last 30 years, is headed by first printing of John F Kennedy’s The Strategy of Peace (1960) that collected the speeches of Kennedy, then the front-running Democratic candidate for the presidency. This copy in its dust jacket is signed and inscribed by JFK to Don (Mitchell) “With many thanks and best personal regards, Jack Kennedy”. It has an estimate of £2,000 - £4,000.

A copy of Bobby Kennedy’s The Enemy Within – his exposé of corruption, crime and graft within American labour unions - signed "To Suzanne, with best wishes, Robert F Kennedy" is guided at £200 - £400 while James Macgregor Burns’ Edward Kennedy and the Camelot Legacy (1976) signed on the title page by Ted Kennedy is expected to bring £400 - £600.

Also signed is a fifth printing of Looking Forward, a compilation of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s writings in which he sets forth his reasoning and hope for the major reforms of his New Deal. Inscribed "With a Merry Christmas from Franklin D Roosevelt, 1933", it has an estimate of £600 - £800.

A JKF first day cover, signed by five US presidents - Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush – has a guide of £150 - £250 as does a United Nations USA first day cover signed by Barack Obama.