November 2023 Auction Ends Thursday, November 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/30/2023
Very rare presidential pardon signed by John F. Kennedy as President and Robert Kennedy as Attorney General, dated 14 November 1963, only eight days before Kennedy's assassination. Kennedy signed pardons are notoriously scarce, as most pardons are issued at the end of a President's term. In fact, we can record only six others that have come to auction in the last 50 years, not all signed by both JFK and RFK as this is. Of those six, this is also the last one Kennedy signed, one of the last official documents he signed as President.
Pardon is boldly signed by both men next to the gold foil Department of Justice seal. Document pardons Ted E. Barto of Minneapolis for violating U.S. Code Title 18, Section 287 dealing with ''false, fictitious or fraudulent claims''. Barto was convicted of submitting false claims to the Veterans Administration regarding flights charged to the U.S. government for GI flying lessons. A pilot at the school that overcharged for these flights, Barto applied for a pardon as he was unaware of the fraud committed by the owners of the school, and received a full and unconditional pardon. Consigned by the family of Ted Barto, document has never been at auction before.
Two page document measures 9'' x 13.375'' on a single sheet. Single horizontal fold as issued, else near fine. Accompanied by Department of Justice letter and envelope, both addressed to Barto. With University Archives COA.
Scarce John F. Kennedy & Robert Kennedy Signed Presidential Pardon -- Dated 8 Days Before JFK's Assassination -- With University Archives COA
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