Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Offered here is an exceptionally scarce original cardboard window poster promoting New York’s Birthday Salute to President John F. Kennedy, held at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962 - an event now immortalized for Marilyn Monroe’s sultry, breathless rendition of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” Few artifacts more powerfully capture the intersection of politics, Hollywood glamour, and American pop culture than this striking red-white-and-blue letterpress poster.

This was the only full-sized advertising poster created for the celebration, produced for display in windows and storefronts ahead of the event. Few were printed, and even fewer have survived, making original examples impossibly difficult to find today. These posters surface only occasionally, and each appearance reinforces their status as the most desirable and significant artifacts tied to Kennedy, Monroe, and this historic night. Recent public auction results have exceeded $25k, underscoring their continued demand and importance.

The event’s legendary status rests, of course, on Marilyn Monroe. Wearing a famously skintight, shimmering gown, she delivered a seductive slow-tempo “Happy Birthday,” replacing “John” with “Mr. President,” before segueing into customized lyrics to “Thanks for the memory.” When Kennedy later took the stage beside an enormous birthday cake, he quipped, “I can now retire from politics after having had Happy Birthday sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way.” Jacqueline Kennedy was notably absent; Monroe would pass less than three months later, cementing the performance as one of the defining moments of her career.

Though spoken of quietly at the time and winked at loudly ever since, the connection between Kennedy and Monroe has become one of the most storied "associations" in American history. Their paths crossed at the highest levels of fame, power, and glamour - an irresistible combination that has only fueled the intrigue surrounding this unforgettable moment.

Measuring approximately 14" x 20", this union-printed display poster features a portrait of President Kennedy above bold typography proclaiming “The Most Exciting Program Ever Staged!”  The billing was no exaggeration. Joining Monroe onstage was an extraordinary roster of performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Durante, Bobby Darin, Jack Benny, Maria Callas, Diahann Carroll, Henry Fonda, Danny Kaye, Peggy Lee, Nichols & May, and the Jerome Robbins Ballet Group, among others. And fittingly, this remarkable program took place at Madison Square Garden - long celebrated as the world’s most famous arena - an iconic stage perfectly suited for an evening of such scale and cultural significance. The poster itself displays excellent printing with vibrant red, white, and blue coloring, complemented by minor restoration to preserve its condition and integrity for generations to come. The original ticket-availability strip remains affixed at the bottom, a common practice of the period, adding to its 1960's charm. Handsomely presented, the framed piece measures approximately 20" x 25".

With its vivid design, direct connection to one of the most talked-about moments in American cultural history, and exceptional rarity, this poster stands as a centerpiece-worthy offering for collectors of JFK, Marilyn Monroe, or iconic 1960s Americana.

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