BOSTON, MASS.- In commemoration of JFKs 100th birthday on May 29, 2017,
RR Auction has curated an once-in-a-lifetime assortment of Kennedy artifacts, signed material, and photographs to celebrate the life of Americas beloved 35th president. The more than 175 lots cover; JFKs early years, the transition to his congressional and senatorial careers, and The 1,000 Days of Camelot, Kennedys storied tenure as president. The special online offering is scheduled to begin on May 11 and will conclude on May 18, 2017.
A highlight includes; Jacqueline Kennedy's gray maternity dress worn two months prior to delivering JFK, Jr., and her husband winning the presidency.
The lightweight wool dress features three-quarter-length sleeves, two pocket flaps, eight double-breasted buttons, and "Lord & Taylor, Fifth Avenue" and "Ma Mere" tags sewn into the cowl neck collar. Included with the dress are two vintage glossy black-and-white photographs, both showing Kennedy wearing the dress and working with her personal secretary, Mary Barelli Gallagher, in a second floor study of the Kennedy's Georgetown estate. The photos were taken by Edward Clark and used for an article in Life Magazine during John F. Kennedy's historic presidential campaign.
Accompanied by two letters of provenance from Gallagher for the dress and the photos, in part: "The dress was acquired from Jacqueline B. Kennedy during one of her regular, periodic, closet-cleaning sessions at her Georgetown/White House/Georgetown residences. Given the timeframe of these photographs, Kennedy was well into her pregnancy and only two months removed from delivering her second child, John F. Kennedy, Jr., on November 25, 1960, just three weeks after her husband won the 1960 presidential election. For a brief period, Jackie wore this svelte and subtle dress with the unique understanding that she would soon be named First Lady of the United States.
An incredible rarity dating to a truly significant time in the lives of both John and Jackie Kennedy, said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction.
Also featured, a beautiful emerald and pearl brooch presented to Gallagher by Jacqueline Kennedy as a Christmas gift in 1960. Included with the brooch is the original handwritten note from Jacqueline Kennedy, penned on an off-white 4 x 3 card, in full: "Merry Christmas Mary and lots of love, Jackie." Accompanied by the original envelope addressed in Kennedy's own hand, "Mrs Mary Gallagher, c/o John F. Kennedy, 3307 N St NW, Washington DC," as well as a letter of provenance from Gallagher.
An additional highlight consists of an incredible assortment of historic Kennedy photographs from The Ronnie Paloger Collection. The 100 lots of photographs depict a fascinating and crucial period in JFKs life from 19461953, chronicling JFKs first political congressional campaign of 1946, his run for U.S. senator in 1952, and his marriage to Jackie in 1953.
LIFE magazine has featured six of these photographs in a twelve-page photo essay chapter in their special edition commemorating JFKs centennial birthday.
Overall these photographs are the best quality and assortment of rare and mostly unseen images of JFK that we have ever offered, said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction.
JFK is seen in official portrait photographs from both campaigns, marching in parades, participating in political rallies, visiting factories and local neighborhoods, meeting with youth, ethnic, and vet groups, giving speeches, seen with President Truman and Adlai Stevenson, and with baseball greats Ted Williams and Hank Greenberg.
JFK is also seen sharing both of his political victories with his loyal and dedicated staff of volunteers who played such a major role in both campaigns. These campaigns are a far cry from the national roll out that the Kennedy juggernaut used in Kennedys successful 1960 presidential campaign. There are also fantastic images from JFKs marriage to Jackie in 1953.
Additional items include:
John F. Kennedy's personal Senate ID card, "carried by him in his wallet while he was a United States Senator."
Handwritten letter from Lt. Kennedy while on PT Shakedown duties in Miami, only months removed from his harrowing PT-109 rescue.
Kennedys Stately Pair of Eagle Bookends.
Impressive Louis Lupa original pastel JFK portrait.
The John F. Kennedy Auction from RR Auction began on May 11 and will conclude on May 18.