Frame Size (H x L): 20” x 17”
Pennant Size (H x L): 11.5” x 8.5”  

Offered is a memorial pennant honoring John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, produced in the wake of his assassination in 1963. Made primarily of felt, the pennant combines a photographic portrait of Kennedy with patriotic imagery, memorial inscriptions, and words from his inaugural address. The result is an especially graphic example of the enormous body of commemorative material created following his death.

At center is a color portrait of Kennedy, smiling and facing slightly to the viewer's left. Behind the image is a stylized American flag, while the words “In Memory Of” appear prominently above. Below, the pennant identifies “John F. Kennedy, 1917–1963,” followed by the familiar words associated with his presidency: “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You / Ask What You Can Do For Your Country.” The red binding across the top provides a strong contrast to the otherwise gray, black, white, and muted-color composition.

The quotation is drawn from Kennedy's inaugural address of January 20, 1961. Near the conclusion of the speech, Kennedy called upon Americans to participate actively in the life of the nation and framed public service as an obligation of citizenship. The passage quickly became one of the most recognizable statements of his presidency, making its inclusion on a memorial object particularly appropriate.

Kennedy entered the White House at age 43 following the closely contested 1960 election and served from January 1961 until his assassination in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. His administration coincided with an especially consequential period of the Cold War and included the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the creation of the Peace Corps, growing federal involvement in the civil rights struggle, and an expanded national commitment to space exploration. In March 1961, Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order, and in May of that year he called for the United States to land a man on the Moon before the decade's end.

Kennedy’s assassination prompted a broad national outpouring of grief and a wide range of memorial objects, including photographs, buttons, banners, and pennants such as this.

This example combines several elements closely associated with Kennedy’s memory: a youthful photographic portrait, patriotic American flag imagery, and the well-known quotation from his inaugural address. Together, they make the pennant a distinctive piece of period presidential memorabilia and a reflection of how Kennedy was commemorated following his death in 1963.

Conservation Process: This pennant was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board. To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the pennant, the fabric was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The pennant is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: The pennant is housed in a black frame with deeply stepped molding and a narrow silver-toned inner liner.

Condition Report: The pennant is in very good overall condition, with light surface soiling, minor discoloration, and small areas of wear consistent with age and use. The felt remains well preserved, with strong graphics and lettering, while the applied photographic portrait shows light edge wear and is secured with visible staples. The red top binding remains intact, with only minor waviness and wear.

Collectability Level: The Good – Perfect for Beginning Collectors and Gifts  
Date of Origin: 1963