/internal/media/dispatcher/10120/fullPhotoengraving plate of John F. Kennedy, Jr. saluting his father's casket11/25/19638 1/16 × 5 9/16 × 1/16 in. (20.5 × 14.1 × 0.1 cm)MetalCharles Hudson, Jr. Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza1997.021.00070One Micro-Metal photoengraving plate with image of John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s salute to his father, President John F. Kennedy's, casket. Photo represented on metal plate taken by United Press International (UPI) photographer in Washington, D.C., on Monday, November 25, 1963.
The image on the plate is reversed and shows John F. Kennedy, Jr. with one hand raised to his forehead in salute and his other arm at his side. He is wearing a short coat, light-colored socks, and darker shoes. The figure of "John-John" takes up most of the composition of the image on the plate. There are several legs in the background of the image belonging to members of the Kennedy family.
The verso of the photoengraving plate is orange. There are one complete and three partial logos for the "Micro-Metal \ Photoengravers' Plates" company printed in black on the orange ground on the back of the plate. The logo is the company's name and product set within a circle around the profile drawing of a Native American figure shown with a stylized headdress. Under the image of the Native American is the text "Made in U.S.A." and an ® symbol. The words "JOHN-JOHN" have been handwritten near the upper right corner of the plate in black. The plate has black ink residue present primarily on the top; remnants of ink are visible all over the surface of the reverse of the plate.
Minimal ink residue on reverse of plate and even less evidence of ink residue on front. Other unknown substances present on front. Plate is warped, especially on proper right side. (JM 10/18/2017)Artifacts6344814.100000000020.478790957615214Printing plate0.1000000000Metal photoengraving plate with image of John F. Kennedy, Jr. saluting his father's casket. Photo represented on metal plate taken by United Press International (UPI) photographer in Washington, D.C., on Monday, November 25, 1963. Such plates were used to print photos in newspapers; image reversed.
Image shows John F. Kennedy, Jr. with one hand raised to his forehead in salute. He made this salute on the steps of St. Matthew's Cathedral, the day of President John F. Kennedy's funeral, which was also John, Jr.'s third birthday.
The back of the photoengraving plate is orange. There are logos for the "Micro-Metal \ Photoengravers' Plates" company printed in black and the words "JOHN-JOHN" have been handwritten near the upper right corner of the plate. The plate also has black ink residue, leftover from the newspaper printing process.MournersFuneralPhotographsMourningKennedy FamilyKennedy, John F., Jr.United Press International (UPI)DallasWashington, D.C.Included in the Museum's temporary exhibit, "Mourning a President," about the funeral and mourning rites for President John F. Kennedy, this item will be on display on the Museum's seventh floor from November 17, 2017 to February 19, 2018. -- Lindsey Richardson, Curator of CollectionsThree-year-old John F. Kennedy, Jr. saluting his father's casket, as captured by several still and moving photographers that Monday, November 25, was arguably the singular image that affected the nation and the world more profoundly than any other in a weekend filled with vivid and powerful imagery. Those who witnessed that moment live began to "crumple as though struck," as described by William Manchester in "The Death of a Preisdent." Cardinal Cushing, speaking eight months after the Kennedy funeral, recalled watching the young boy's salute: "Oh God, I almost died." It was a moment that inspired poets, artists, musicians and sculptors, and it remains one of the most recognized images of the era.
In "The Death of a President," Manchester writes of this moment: "Somehow the mood and meaning of the day had reached the President's son. His elbow was cocked at precisely the right angle, his hand was touching the shock of hair, his left arm was rigidly at his side, his shoulders were squared and his chin in. His bearing was militant, and to see it in a three-year-old, with his bare legs stiff below his short coat, his knees dimpled and his blunt red shoes side by side--to hear the slow swell of the music, and recall how the President had idolized him--was almost insupportable." -- Stephen Fagin, Curator