On the morning of September 24, 1963 JFK left the South Lawn of the White House via helicopter to Andrews Air Force Base to board his jet that took him to eleven states in five days. The theme of the trip was conservation but the purpose was political aimed at aiding Democratic Senators, mostly in states JFK failed to win in 1960, in their upcoming 1964 elections. Jerry Bruno went out and made the advance arrangements. On September 27, JFK was given this gavel (or "Hammer") which comes with a 4x5.5" paper affixed to thin cardboard. The text in full reads: "JFK/September 24-28, 1963/Western Conservation Trip/September 27, 1963 At Salt Lake/City Municipal Airport For/Dedication By Remote Control Of/Flaming Gorge Dam/Hammer Inscribed: John F. Kennedy/High Eagle/Blackfeet Nation/Presented to President Kennedy/By/Chairman Of The Blackfeet Nation/Walter S. Wetzel/'Blackie'." The item consists of varnished tree branch 1" dia. and 10" long joined to the wooded carved hammer base with 3-D carved eagle atop. This area is 6" tall, about 3" wide and about 3" deep. Below the eagle's talon is a copper plate held by two small copper nails. Neatly engraved inscription reads: "John F. Kennedy/High Eagle/Blackfeet Nation." Mint as made. The story of JFK's Western Conservation trip was documented in an article by Sander Vanocur titled "Kennedy's Voyage Of Discovery." This article was entered into the Congressional Record Vol. 110, March-April 1964 by Majority Leader Mike Mansfield. A copy of those three pages are included with this item. The concluding paragraph reads: "The President Relaxed Saturday And All Day Sunday At Bing Crosby's Home In Palm Springs, Watching Football On Television, Taking An Occasional Swim In The Pool, And Discussing With Powers And O'Donnell How Well The Trip Had Gone. He Returned To Washington, Monday, September 30. Shortly After He Walked Into His Office, He Called Evelyn Lincoln Into Dictate This Letter To Jerry Bruno: 'Dear Jerry: The Western Trip Represented An Outstanding Job Of Organization And Planning. Please Accept My Warmest Thanks. With Every Good Wish, Sincerely, John F. Kennedy." This lot includes Letter Of Provenance from Jerry Bruno stating: "Hand Carved 'Hammer' (Or Gavel) Presented To John F. Kennedy September 27, 1963:/The President Later Gave This To Me." Comes With Hake's COA.