Posted Dec 28th 2009 2:07AM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has obtained a never-before published photograph which appears to show John F. Kennedy on a boat filled with naked women — it’s a photo that could have altered world events.
We believe the photo was taken in the mid-1950s. It shows two naked women jumping off the boat and two more naked women sunning on the top deck. Just below the top deck — a man appearing to be John F. Kennedy is lying on a deck, sunning himself.
a never-before published photograph that appears to show John F. Kennedy on a boat filled with nude women (TMZ)
TMZ had multiple experts examine the photo — all say there is no evidence the picture was Photoshopped. The original print — which is creased — was scanned and examined for evidence of inconsistent lighting, photo composition and other forms of manipulation. The experts all concluded the photo appears authentic.
Professor Jeff Sedlik, a forensic photo expert, says the print appears to be authentic. Sedlik says the photo is printed on paper consistent with what was used in the 1950s. The emulsion on the surface of the print has numerous cracks — the result of aging and handling.
There are numerous articles and books on President John F. Kennedy which mention a 2-week, Mediterranean boating trip that JFK — then a Senator — took in August, 1956, with his brother Ted Kennedy and Senator George Smathers. The trio reportedly entertained a number of women on the yacht. Jackie Kennedy was pregnant at the time and was rushed to the hospital while JFK was on the boat. Doctors performed an emergency C-section, but the infant was stillborn.
Forensic analyst Sedlik superimposed an image of Kennedy taken at the Democratic National Convention in August 1956, just days before Kennedy went on the Mediterranean cruise. Sedlik says the features from the two pics almost precisely sync up. TMZ has also had two Kennedy biographers examine the photo — they also believe JFK is in the picture.
The photo was eventually given to a man who owned a car dealership on the East coast. The man kept it in a drawer for years, and would brag to friends he had an image of JFK on a boat with naked women. The man died 10 years ago and one of his sons inherited the photo.
Had the photo surfaced when John F. Kennedy ran for President in 1960, it could have torpedoed his run, and changed world history.
To see a high resolution image, visit http://www.tmz.com
Lisa's History Room 
Hi Lisa- I’m not so sure the photo would’ve changed much. I think pretty much everyone knew this about JFK, I know my mother and grandmother did and voted for him anyway. Leaders throughout history have had a problem with sticking to monogamy- not justifying it, but saying we’ve been voting them in since and or following them (thinking Henry VIII) etc. Even Eleanor of Aquitaine was rumored to be adulterous.
I thnk everyone knew what JFK was up to when they watched Marilyn sing Happy Birthday.
Thanks for the great post!
Jennifer
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In the 1950s, it was fairly easy for American politicians to stifle the press from printing negative articles. The Kennedys had many journalist friends and scandalous stuff was suppressed. Jackie Kennedy was so fed up with JFK’s philandering that, when she was First Lady, she fled to Europe to sail with Onassis. This potentially explosive bit of news was softened up by JFK; he sent along a chaperone in the person of FDR Jr. to give the trip an air of diplomacy. Lots of damage control was exerted by the Kennedys and successfully, too – esp. the Marilyn thing.
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TMZ now acknowledges that this photo was part of 1967 photo spread in Playboy, and is not connected to Jack Kennedy. http://is.gd/5EDxg
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TMZ states that Playboy claims it. It still doesn’t explain when the photo was taken and if JFK was in the photo. More to come, I’m sure. Fox News is following the story as are other legitimate news orgs.
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For more information, see the Smoking Gun’s Web site (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/):
DECEMBER 28–In a colossal screw-up, the gossip web site TMZ.com today published a photo purporting to show John F. Kennedy frolicking on a yacht with a harem of naked women–except that the image actually appeared as part of a November 1967 Playboy photo spread, The Smoking Gun has learned. The TMZ hoax was billed as an “exclusive” featuring a photo that “could have altered world events” had it surfaced prior to his presidential campaign. “It could have torpedoed his run, and changed world history,” the site added. In reality, the photo appeared in story about Playboy’s “Charter Yacht Party: How to Have a Ball on the Briny with an Able-Bodied Complement of Ship’s Belles.” As seen in the below page from the November 1967 issue, the Playboy photo is in color. The “Exclusive” TMZ image is the same photo, just reproduced in black and white.
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The excitement is whether or not the person in the photo is JFK or not. Everyone loves a good mystery.
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The latest TMZ post on the photo is titled “Man in Photo is Not JFK.” đŸ™‚ Also, The Smoking Gun contacted the photographer who took the shot. “In an interview, Larry Dale Gordon, the Playboy photographer who took the yacht image, said that the man TMZ identified as Kennedy was a “paid model,” as were the naked women featured in the shot.”
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Thanks, John. It’s always a little sketchy when such “finds” pop up years later.
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Just want to say your article is striking. The clarity in your post is simply striking and i can take for granted you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your rss feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the ac complished work. Excuse my poor English. English is not my mother tongue.
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Many thanks. Keep coming back.
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Just surfing around and found your site. Very solid post. Will be adding you to my RSS reader.
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Allan, I am honored that you have found some good posts. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
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