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Auction: 11008 - Ancient, British & Foreign Coins & Com Medals
Lot: 1203

Paris Summit 1960, an extremely rare documented silver medal commemorating the famous ´Summit That Never Was´ at the height of the Cold War, summit paris 1960, rev. with appreciation from Dwight D Eisenhower, between two flaming torches, 38.5mm. with two related letters, the medal mint state, a rare and evocative item Estimate £ 200-300 The Paris Summit of May 1960 was cancelled due to the crisis caused by the shooting down of the American U2 spy plane, and the capture of the American pilot Gary Powers, by the Russians on 1 May. The BBC reported the incident as follows: ´The much heralded Big Four Summit in Paris has failed before it even started. .. When the Soviet Union announced it had shot the plane down, the US State Department at first denied it was a spy plane, saying that it was simply an aircraft that had gone astray. But when Mr Krushchev produced photos taken by the pilot of military installations, President Eisenhower was forced to admit he had authorised the flight because he needed to prevent another Pearl Harbour. When leaders gathered in Paris for the summit two days ago, after months of planning by Soviet and French officials, Mr Krushchev demanded an apology before discussions could begin. He also said the US should promise never to violate Soviet airspace again and should punish all those responsible for the incident. President Eisenhower rejected the demands, leaving the hoped-for peace summit in tatters.´ The first of the two letters is an official copy of the letter from President Eisenhower to the American Ambassador in Paris, Amory Houghton. DDE THE WHITE HOUSE May 18th, 1960 Dear Amory: Regardless of the difficulties of the last few days, I have been constantly aware of-- and appreciative of-- the support you and the members of the Embassy staff have given me and the members of the party who came to Paris for the hoped-for ´Summit´ conference. I hope you will convey to everyone who had a part in the preparations my warm gratitude, a sentiment that is shared by all the people from Washington. With personal regard As ever DE The second letter, on embossed U.S. Embassy paper, is from Embassador Houghton to Mr James O´Donald Mays, a member of U.S.I.S., at the American Embassy, Paris. Paris, May 24, 1960 Dear Mr Mays: During the recent meeting of the Chiefs of State and Heads of Government, the Embassy was pleased to provide services for the President, Secretary Herter, Secretary Gates, other members of the U.S. Delegation, and their supporting staff. Because of the unselfish efforts of those who assisted, I have recieved many favorable comments from the Washington delegation, among them being a letter from the President, a copy of which I am attaching in order that you might share with me the satisfaction of a job well done. In addition, I would like to express my own sincere appreciation to you for your work and acting as Duty Officer at press briefings. In this connection, the President requested me to pass on to you the enclosed token as a reminder of your personal participation on this occasion. A copy of this letter, which you have earned by your devotion and diligence, is being forwarded to your headquarters personnel office for inclusion in your official record. Sincerely Amory Houghton

Sold for
£480