John F. Kennedy’s Striped Necktie
One of John F. Kennedy’s personally-owned and -worn neckties. Black silk tie with diagonal red, yellow, and white stripes bears a Jordan Marsh maker’s label on the underside. Accompanied by a copy of a letter of authenticity from David J. Powers, the son of Kennedy’s special assistant David F. Powers, which states, “This Jordan Marsh Company all silk black tie with red, yellow and white stripes, RN19970, was worn by JFK and subsequently ended up with my father…My father carefully separated this tie from others that were his alone and preserved it among his valuable memorabilia.” In fine condition
John F. Kennedy’s 1963 Cobalt-blue Dinner Plate
Cobalt-blue dinner plate specially produced for the Dinner of the Inter-American Press Association [IAPA] in honor of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, held at the Hotel Americana in Miami Beach on November 18, 1963. Plate measures 10.5˝ in diameter with gilt edging and gilt ornamentation of the presidential seal as well as the coats of arms of the IAPA’s 14 member states. A manufacturer’s imprint on the cream underside reads, “Syracuse – China – 93 G U.S.A.” Plate originated from the Hotel Americana’s Catering Sales and Service Manager Louis Ronco, to whom an entire Miami Herald feature article (a copy of which is included here) was dedicated the very next day, tracing Ronco’s legacy of presidential dinners dating back to the FDR administration. Additional photocopied provenance comes in the form of three letters to Ronco that attest to his services that night; copies of the program and menu from the event; and photocopied pictures of Kennedy in his motorcade, in his hotel suite and at his head table, including an image of the Grand Ballroom with a plate shown at each setting. In fine condition.
Jacqueline Kennedy’s Gold Brocade Shoes Worn during Her 1961 Trip to Paris
Stunning white and gold brocade heeled shoes worn by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy during her 1961 visit to Paris with President John F. Kennedy. The size 10AA evening shoes feature beautiful gold brocade to the front and a short wooden heel. It was during this memorable trip that President Kennedy famously quipped, ‘I am the man that accompanied Jacqueline to Paris and I have enjoyed doing so,’ which endeared the couple to the European press. Accompanied by a January 22, 1981 letter of provenance from Jane Abbate to noted collector Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, which reads, in part: “These personal Kennedy items came to me by way of Secret Service Agent John J. O’Leary, better known as ‘Muggsy’…The evening slippers…were worn by Jackie Kennedy on the trip to France where she received so much attention.” At the bottom of the detailed provenance letter, Evelyn Lincoln, the president’s secretary of twelve years, has added a handwritten note which reads, “Muggsy was a dear friend of mine and when he said these items are authentic, I believe him.” In fine condition, with a bit of light wear from use. The Kennedy’s trip to France was met with much fanfare as crowds lined the streets to get a look at the couple. Jackie charmed both Charles de Gaulle and Andre Malraux at a state dinner, where she planted the initial seeds of bringing the Mona Lisa to America. Provenance: The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection.
Jacqueline Kennedy’s Blue and White Striped Bathing Suit
Kennedy’s personally-owned and -worn bathing suit. Blue and white striped cotton one-piece suit, size 10/32, has narrow shoulder straps and back zipper, five flat white buttons down the bodice, and is fully lined in white cotton. Inside bears a “Catalina Created in California” manufacturer’s label. In fine condition, with minor rust stain dots near back waist and inside bodice, some discoloration on front top from storage. Accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity from Mary Gallagher, Kennedy’s personal secretary. Provenance: Robert L. White Collection, Guernsey’s, 2005.
John and Jaqueline Kennedy Inaugural Ball Photograph
Semi-glossy 11 x 14 photo of Kennedy beside Jackie looking over the enormous crowd at their inaugural ball, by Paul Schutzer of Life magazine. Some light creasing to the corners, otherwise fine condition.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Limo
A black 1960 Continental Mark V 6 passenger Limo converted for Lincoln by Hess and Eisenhardt of Cincinnati, Ohio. from the Kennedy White House motor pool. This four-door bulletproof limo features a divider window, passenger air controls, power steering and brakes, and a very uncommon two-way telephone in the back seat. Much of the body has been restored, to the tune of approximately $35,000, however, the interior remains in its original condition, with beige leather seats, matching carpeting, and the aforementioned telephone. Leased to the White House for $500 a year from Ford, the limo was used for the president’s personal needs in Washington, DC, then returned the public market through secondary dealerships, where it was purchased in March of 1964 by Dr. James C. Walsh.
After Dave Powers declined Walsh’s offer to include the limo in the Kennedy Library due to space constraints, it was donated to Kirkland Hall College in Easton, Maryland. A letter to the institution’s president provides additional background information regarding the car, in part: “I spoke to Mr. Campbell Schmidt Jr….an official of the Washington office of the Ford Motor Company. He told me that President Johnson had switched all the White House cars…As a result the Ford Motor Company was going to sell this car and at my wife, Mary’s, insistence I purchased it on the spot.…The late president who had been exceptionally gracious to our son…who had attended the White House school…It is because of this association that I had the opportunity to meet the late president and to know in fact that he did use this car for his own personal uses in contrast to the official use of the larger White House limousine.”
The limo was later sold in a fundraising auction by the college to George W. De Franceaux, who leased it to the Allstate Exhibit Company for a lengthy exhibition “of the John F. Kennedy automobile.” It was then displayed at the Museum of American Tragedy in St. Augustine, Florida, until the museum’s owner passed away in 1998, at which time it was sold at auction. A classic, show-worthy car with excellent association to the president.
John F. Kennedy 1961 UNC Photograph
Vintage oversized 18.5 x 15.5 matte-finish photo, taken on October 12, 1961, at the University of North Carolina by Frank Cancellare. Photo shows Kennedy, his eyes temporarily covered, as an academic hood is placed over his head, and is affixed to a slightly larger board. UPI caption on reverse states, “Receives Degree / Chapel Hill, N.C.: President Kennedy’s eyes are covered momentarily as William Friday, president of the University of North Carolina, slips academic hood over his head in conferring an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on the Chief Executive, here Oct. 12. It was Kennedy’s first honorary degree since becoming President. In a speech at the university, Kennedy said the United States does not ‘intend to let the free world be blown to pieces.’” Some light corner creases and a few small areas of staining, not detracting from overall appearance, otherwise fine condition.
Jacqueline Kennedy Photograph Studying on Campus
Jackie does some last-minute cramming in sun outside classroom building.
Original first-generation glossy 7 x 9.75 photo of Jackie studying while on the steps of a building on Georgetown’s campus. Reverse of photo bears a Three Lions Inc. stamp and affixed caption. In fine condition, with creasing to corner tips. According to the McCall’s article that published Suero’s photos, the studious Jacqueline Kennedy was ‘the only member of her class who has a Senator husband to help her with her homework…It fascinates Jack to compare her classroom theories with his own practical experience.’ A stunning shot of Jackie studying on her own, both in preparation for the class ahead and the discussion with her supportive husband. Published in Camelot at Dawn, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001.
Jacqueline Kennedy Photograph Hanging One of John’s Paintings
In the fine old Georgetown house she hangs a new painting.
Original first-generation glossy 10 x 6.75 photo of Jacqueline Kennedy hanging a painting—apparently one of her husband’s—on a wall of their Georgetown home. Reverse of photo bears a Three Lions Inc. stamp and affixed caption. In fine condition. After buying her husband a set of oil paints and feeling delighted that he enjoyed using them, Jackie took pains to show her support. A sweet photo of Mrs. Kennedy proudly displaying a JFK-original.
John F. Kennedy Collection of 14 Presidential Campaign Items
Collection of 14 campaign items consisting of: a 3.5˝ red, white, and blue campaign photo button; a 21 x 24 campaign poster issued by the Business and Professional Men and Women for Kennedy/Johnson; a 45 rpm record for ‘All the Way / High Hopes,’ with Jack Kennedy; and eleven red, white, and blue ‘Kennedy for President’ badge-shaped campaign handbills. In fine condition, with a few small separations along poster storage folds, and some light toning to handbills.
Texas Welcome Dinner Invitational Information
“Let’s give a real Texas welcome to President and Mrs. Kennedy”
TLS signed “Ralph W. Yarborough,” one page, 8 x 10.5, November 13, 1963. Invitation to the Democratic fundraising dinner planned for JFK’s arrival. In part: “A great event is taking place in Austin on Friday, November 22nd, when President and Mrs. Kennedy will be honored at a giant Democratic fund-raising dinner. Tickets for this outstanding evening, when Democrats will dine with the two first families of the land, are being sold at $100.00 each. Should you find it possible to attend, tickets for the dinner can be ordered from me…Let’s give a real Texas welcome to President and Mrs. Kennedy.” Stapled to the letter are copies of Governor Connally’s letter to Yarborough, as well as four pages of information from the party. In fine condition. Scheduled to occur on the night of Kennedy’s assassination, this dinner would never take place; Yarborough was riding in the convertible with LBJ at the time of the assassination, two cars behind the president’s.
John F. Kennedy’s Hotel Texas Presidential Phones
Pair of emblem-adorned rotary phones from the presidential suite at the Hotel Texas—which Kennedy used to make his final call
Pair of cream-colored rotary telephones from the presidential suite of the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, used by the Kennedys on November 21, 1963, the night before traveling to Dallas. Both were manufactured by Western Electric, embellished with White House emblems in the center of the dials, and installed in the hotel specifically for the president’s visit. In overall very good condition, with general scattered surface spotting and soiling, and a hairline crack above the dial of one phone; one phone retains its original four-prong plug at the end of the cord, and end of the other cord has been severed and plug is absent.
John F. Kennedy’s Hotel Texas Presidential Phones
Pair of emblem-adorned rotary phones from the presidential suite at the Hotel Texas—which Kennedy used to make his final call
Pair of cream-colored rotary telephones from the presidential suite of the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, used by the Kennedys on November 21, 1963, the night before traveling to Dallas. Both were manufactured by Western Electric, embellished with White House emblems in the center of the dials, and installed in the hotel specifically for the president’s visit. In overall very good condition, with general scattered surface spotting and soiling, and a hairline crack above the dial of one phone; one phone retains its original four-prong plug at the end of the cord, and end of the other cord has been severed and plug is absent.
When President and Mrs. Kennedy arrived at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, on November 21, they found the Presidential Suite, #850, perfectly to their liking, from the priceless artwork adorning the walls to the two Southwestern Bell phones installed just for their brief stay. On the morning of the 22nd, Kennedy left his room to speak at a breakfast hosted by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce before heading outside to address a crowd of thousands. After departing for Dallas, the room was cleared—the art returned to the museums and private collectors who donated it for the day, and the phones returned to the Southwestern Bell warehouse. It was from there that a district sales and service manager (and staunch Kennedy supporter) bought the pair as souvenirs, taking advantage of his company’s policy of allowing employees to buy directly from the warehouse. A charming memento from the site of Kennedy’s final speech.
Texas Congressman Jim Wright Signed Photo of Kennedy’s Final Speech
Glossy 10 x 8 photo of Kennedy’s final speech, in which he praised Wright’s service in Congress, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “For Larry Chenault, with very best wishes and poignant memories of a fateful day, Nov. 22, 1963, which began with President Kennedy’s speech to this enormous outdoor crowd in Fort Worth. Jim Wright, 2/22/96”; and an ALS, one page, 7 x 9.25, embossed congressional letterhead, February 22, 1996, in part: “I am sending the picture of the JFK appearance, with my inscription.” In overall fine condition.
John F. Kennedy’s White Lincoln Continental
This white 1963 Lincoln Continental used to transport President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Texas governor John Connally from a breakfast and speech at the Hotel Texas ballroom through the streets of Fort Worth to Carswell Air Force Base, where they boarded their short flight to Dallas on the morning of November 22, 1963. This car was loaned out by Bill Golightly, of Golightly Auto Sales in Fort Worth, for use by the president while he was in town. The automobile has been painstakingly restored by Lincoln specialist Baker Restoration of Putnam, Connecticut, with the engine having been replaced and body work and paint done as well. Most of the interior, including the red leather seats, is in its original condition.
After the car was returned to Golightly, it was sold to David Pelham of Dallas in 1964. Pelham in turn sold the car to L. H. Hough, owner of the Museum of American Tragedy, in 1967, “for $10.00 and other valuable consideration,” where it remained until the museum closed in 1998 after Hough’s death; it was then sold at public auction. The car is accompanied by a notarized letter from Golightly stating he owned the car and sold it to Pelham in 1964. Also included is the bill of sale from Pelham to Hough, dated July 20, 1967, as well as other ownership documentation, including a partial 1972 agreement for the Allstate Exhibit Company to display the car for 15 weeks.
Numerous photos from that morning show the Kennedys in this car, Jackie dressed in her pink Chanel suit and pillbox hat, driving through Fort Worth and arriving at the base. Used as an official vehicle to transport the First Couple, this car was given the designation of ‘Limo One,’ and became the last automobile to safely carry Kennedy before his tragic death in Dallas, making it a historically significant and one-of-a-kind piece marking the end of Camelot.
The Kennedys and Connallys Photograph Leaving Love Field
Color glossy 7 x 5 photo of the Kennedys and the Connallys leaving the airport in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Photo was originally taken by a person boarding another flight at the airport. In fine condition.
Lady Bird Johnson Signed Photograph of LBJ’s Swearing In
Glossy 10 x 8 photo of Lyndon B. Johnson being sworn in aboard Air Force One, signed in the lower border in black ink, “Lady Bird Johnson, many years later.” Toned piece of tape affixed to right border, some adhesive remnants along top edge, and slight brush to end of signature, otherwise fine condition.