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The auction of material from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a great success, but it was a sale of items largely from her apartment and life after being First Lady. The somewhat remarkable auction herein described is the event that will offer to the public, for the first time, items that directly relate to the late President John F. Kennedy, covering both his professional and family life. Guernsey's - the auction house know for conducting such unique auctions as the contents of the ocean liner S.S. United States (the worlds largest auction), art of the Soviet Union and a myriad of specialized auctions ranging from vintage racing cars to movie and rock & roll memorabilia to carousel figures on to somewhat wild auctions such as our sale of 200,000 pre-Castro Cuban cigars - is proud to present material of such importance. In an auction where the vast majority of the items will be sold without minimum
reserves, never before have such diverse, exciting items relating to a man arguably
considered the most important of our century, been offered for sale. Following are short
descriptions of just a handful of the 600 extraordinary objects being sold.
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  JFK's First Sail Boat Throughout his life, President Kennedy was an avid sailor. His first sail boat, acquired in 1934, was this Star Class racer to which he gave the name Flash II. With a 35 foot mast and Kennedy's sailing skills, this boat won several class championships. |
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| JFK's Writing Desk The President used this antique drop-leaf table to sign important letters and documents in the Oval Office. Dr. Tavell, his personal doctor, requested that JFK use this table in an attempt to relieve his back pain. (The Oval Office desk was 6 inches taller and caused the President pain when he wrote upon it.)
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 JFK's Signing Pens"Signing pens" are used by Presidents to sign important documents and are distributed (at the time of the signing) to legislators of others that were instrumental in the creation of the bill. This remarkable collection contains original pens used to sign some of the most important documents in U.S. history including the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the establishment of the Peace Corps.
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| JFK's Hat This Donegal Tweed hat woven in Ireland, signed by weaver P.J. Carr, was given to JFK by the President of Ireland. Although JFK was known to dislike hats, on occasion he wore this one in respect to the origins of the gift (The hat was a little large for the President so his aides added felt for a proper fit.)
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| Jackie's Hat The Persian Lamb "Pill Box Hat" worn by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy during her reign as First Lady.
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 Cigar Box HumidorThis humidor - with John F. Kennedy's name engraved on the lid - sat in the Oval Office during JFK's presidency. The cigars shown in the box were JFK's.
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 JFK's Rocking ChairsTwo rocking chairs used by JFK at his suite at the New York's Carlyle Hotel. His residence there became known as the "New York White House". The darker finished chair is virtually identical to the two sold in the auction of the contents of the Jackie Kennedy Onassis' apartment. Both chairs had back, arm and seat cushions which have since deteriorated.
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 The 1945 DiaryWith hand written portions in the front and the rear, the major portion of this important diary was typed. These are JFK's notes taken shortly after World War II on a trip made to sites in Europe. With assistance from his father (Joseph Kennedy), JFK had entrée to many foreign leaders (a fact reflected in the diary.) Among his most telling comments relate to the Russians as they co-occupied Germany with the Allies.
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| The 1951 Diaries These two completely hand written (by JFK) diaries were created in 1951 while Congressman Kennedy was on a fact finding mission in Europe. On more than 330 pages, he aired his thoughts on Communist countries and problems he foresaw in the future, including Vietnam.
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 The Kennedy Family Photograph Album With original photographs taken in the early 1940's through 1944, the album pictures members of the immediate family of JFK including himself, a young Teddy, Bobby and JFK's sisters along with their father, Joseph Kennedy. Many of the pictures depict the family at leisure. Handwritten descriptions reveal that the book was created by Eunice Kennedy (Shriver.)
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 The Last Will and Testament of the Late President and First
Lady Created by Jackie in 1960 while on vacation in Jamaica, this will was written with a great love for their daughter Caroline and for her protection should anything terrible befall them. At the time, JFK had just announced that he was going to run for the Presidency and it was with perhaps a foreboding of the future that it was prepared. It was prepared before the birth of their son, John F. Kennedy, Jr. Many collections of material are coming from the following two women: Evelyn Lincoln The late Evelyn Lincoln served as JFK's career-long secretary. She was the person JFK worked with daily, perhaps his most trusted aide. Throughout his career, Mrs. Lincoln had the belief that Kennedy was a man of destiny and consequently, saved materials of all kinds. Upon her death, her extensive Collection was primarily divided between the Kennedy Library and Mr. Robert White, the highly regarded JFK collector and authority who was a close friend to Mrs. Lincoln over the last twenty five years of her life. Through Mr. White, the Evelyn Lincoln Collection is coming to auction. Deirdre Henderson In 1959 and 1960, Deirdre Henderson served as John F. Kennedy's principal researcher. Beyond her responsibilities relating to research, it is well know that she assisted JFK with such important matters as the selection of Presidential Cabinet members. Ms. Henderson authored the well-received book Prelude to Leadership, documenting JFK's 1945 diary that, in fact, is in the auction. Late Consignments Guernsey's is still accepting important late additions for the auction. If you are in possession of, or know the whereabouts of items worthy of inclusion (from rare Presidential documents to the convertible automobiles JFK drove as a young man), please contact us immediately. The Catalogue Purchase of the comprehensive auction catalogue will be necessary to participate in the bidding. Nevertheless, the catalogue in its own right, is a book that many will treasure. With hundreds of photographs and expansive descriptions, this extremely limited edition will - with virtual certainty - be sold out by the conclusion of the sale. You can reserve a copy now by contacting Guernsey's (see Guernsey's New York address below). You can send a check or money order, or call or fax with Master Card or Visa information. |
 GUERNSEY'S 108 East 73rd Street New York, NY 10021 Voice: (212) 794-2280 Fax: (212) 744-3638 E-mail: catalogues@guernseys.com |
Artifacts and Documents
JFK's Harvard Banner This banner hung in
JFK's Room while at Harvard.
JFK's Fisher Record Player