INSCRIBED BY JOHN F. KENNEDY AS PRESIDENT, FIRST FRENCH EDITION IN WRAPPERS OF STRATÉGIE DE LA PAIX (STRATEGY OF PEACE), 1961

KENNEDY, John F. Stratégie de la Paix (The Strategy of Peace). Paris: Calmann-Lévy, (1961). Octavo, original stiff paper wrappers, uncut and unopened. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $6000.

First French edition in wrappers, of this collection of Kennedy’s powerful pre-presidency speeches, inscribed to the Prime Minister of Greece, Constantine Karamanlis, who was visiting the White House the same day the failed Bay of Pigs invasion was launched, "To President Karamanlis with esteem and best wishes, John Kennedy."

The Strategy of Peace, a collection of speeches assembled when Kennedy was a senator and leading presidential candidate, showcases his approaches to defense, peace, national security and related domestic issues. With a preface by Kennedy. Text in French. Preceded by the 1960 first edition in English. Translation into French by Jean Bloch-Michel. This inscribed copy is especially significant for, on the day the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba was launched, "President Kennedy was busy throughout much of the morning of April 19 in meetings with the visiting Prime Minister of Greece, Constantine Karamanlis" (Kennedy Library). Perhaps the timing of Prime Minister Karamanlis' visit to the White House explains Kennedy's mistaken inscription in this copy to "President" Karamanlis, for the Greek statesman, then Greek's youngest prime minister, would not become President of Greece until 1980. Because of the error, this copy was not presented to Prime Minister Karamanlis; instead it was given to a Sargeant Ritz who was serving on Air Force at the time.

A fine inscribed copy.