John and Jacqueline Kennedy Wedding photo negatives

Collection of 13 original and most likely unpublished negatives from the wedding of John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy. Each negative measures 3.75 x 5, four feature the newlywed couple, two show the entire wedding party, and the remainder show the cake, reception, and wedding attendees. Negatives are housed in their original folder, labeled in pencil, “Pres. Kennedy 1953.” These images were originally taken by a freelance photographer who had been asked to be a ‘back-up’ photographer for the wedding, and were discovered in his darkroom after his passing. Accompanied by 5 x 4 printouts of each negative, the very first prints that have been made from these negatives. In fine condition. John and Jacqueline Kennedy were married on September 12, 1953, in Newport, Rhode Island. The entire event was chronicled by Life magazine, which noted ‘their wedding turned out to be the most impressive the old society stronghold had seen in 30 years.’ RR Auction COA.

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John F. Kennedy’s Presidential Seal Cuff Links

President Kennedy’s personally-owned and -worn gold-filled cufflinks featuring elegantly raised presidential seals, each engraved with his initials on the reverse, “J. F. K.” The swivel-bar type cufflinks also have the maker’s mark “R” and “10K” stamped into the reverse. Includes a letter of provenance on a White House card from Toi Bachelder, a very well-known White House secretary, from FDR to LBJ, and personal secretary to JFK’s own Ted Sorenson. In part: “These gold-filled cuff links with a raised Presidential Seal was [sic] owned & used by President John F. Kennedy. He personally gave them to me. I was honored to be among the staff who accompanied JFK on his last European trip in June 1963.” Ms. Bachelder was aboard the presidential Air Force One as her boss, speech writer Ted Sorenson, needed her close at hand. An amazing set of custom-engraved and personally-worn presidential pieces of jewelry, given to a member of his inner circle. This impressive presidential relic is worthy of the most advanced collector.

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John F. Kennedy unsigned handwritten notes

Kennedy’s unsigned handwritten notes on two off-white 4.25 x 7 lightly-lined sheets. Over 70 words in Kennedy’s hand, with complete transcriptions done by Evelyn Lincoln accompanying the piece. A sampling of the notes includes: “Mobilized resources however vast they may be.do [sic] not win wars—Barbara Ward Policy of the West,” “German armament; contingents no larger than brigade groups start at size of German force not to exceed 1/5 of all forces,” and “Says many communist in Italy are so because of domestic matters. Says one of the greatest difficulties of getting Italians to make war effort is that they do not feel that they are equal to other countries because of peace treaty.” A typed letter of provenance accompanies the notes and reads, “John F. Kennedy always kept a small, black notebook accessible so that he could jot down thoughts that came to him…After recording his thoughts he would tear out the page and keep it handy for future reference. The handwritten notes, which you now have in your possession, are two of those pages.” Archivally matted and framed with a portrait of Kennedy on the phone and jotting down some notes, with Lincoln’s transcripts affixed to reverse, along with the typed provenance, to an overall size of 24.75 x 17. In fine condition, with the writing on one page a couple shades light but still completely legible, and a couple trivial ink brushes to the second page. With a notable reference to British economist and Cambridge friend Barbara Ward’s Policy for the West, a book that greatly impacted Kennedy’s views on international politics, this item gives an extraordinary glimpse into the unedited thoughts of the future president. Oversized. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=101

John F. Kennedy Signed Program Nebraska Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner

Vintage program page, 7 x 9.75, for the Nebraska Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner held on May 17, 1957, at the Sheraton-Fontenelle Hotel in Omaha, where Kennedy gave an address, signed in blue ballpoint by Kennedy. Note that since the prime rib dinner was on a Friday, printed along the bottom is the disclaimer, “Dispensation from law of abstinence for Catholics has been granted.” In fine condition, with a couple small newspaper remnants to signed side, and some light adhesive remnants to reverse. Kennedy had just begun to campaign nationally for the 1960 presidential nomination after narrowly losing the vice presidential nomination in 1956. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=103

John F. Kennedy Motorcade Dallas Police Department Police Badge

Original Dallas Police Department police badge worn by Officer James M. Chaney during the tragic motorcade on November 22, 1963. Metal badge, measuring approximately 2 x 3, reading: “Police / Dallas Texas / 469 / Police Officer.” Reverse bears two screw posts with a metal plate fastener. In fine condition, with expected wear from use in service. Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from Chaney’s daughter and a statement by noted Kennedy assassination expert Dave Perry. Assigned to the Traffic Division Solo Motorcycle and Special Enforcement Unit of the Dallas Police, Officer James M. Chaney remained within fifteen feet of the President as he rode through Dealey Plaza. In a televised interview the day of the assassination, Chaney retold the event as he witnessed it from the right rear fender of the president’s car: ‘We heard the first shot. I thought it was a motorcycle backfiring…I looked back over to my left and also President Kennedy looked back over his left shoulder. Then, the, uh, second shot came, well, then I looked back just in time to see the President struck in the face by the second bullet. He slumped forward into Mrs. Kennedy’s lap… it was apparent to me that we were being fired upon.’ Chaney sped up to inform Chief of Police Jesse Curry, and upon orders from him, began redirecting to Parkland Hospital. A one-of-a-kind item from a dedicated Dallas officer, regrettably placed beside Kennedy on November 22. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=112

John F. Kennedy 1961 Signed Document

Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 19.75 x 16, October 27, 1961. President Kennedy appoints “Raymond G. Dwigans, of Texas…Collector of Customs for Customs Collection District No. 24.” Signed at the conclusion by Kennedy and countersigned by Secretary of the Treasury Douglas Dillon. In fine condition, with some slight skipping to last letter of signature, a bit of light soiling, and a couple of small vertical creases extending upwards from bottom edge. The gold foil seal is crisp and intact. Rolled. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=66

John F. Kennedy 1963 Signed Photograph Inscribed to Bachrach

Vintage matte-finish 7.25 x 9 bust portrait of Kennedy in a pinstriped suit affixed to its original 9.5 x 12.5 mount, signed and inscribed on the mount in fountain pen, “For Fabian Bachrach, With warm regards, John F. Kennedy.” The photo also features a gold embossed photographer’s stamp reading, “Fabian Bachrach” in the lower right corner. Gorgeously double-matted and framed with an engraved plaque to an overall size of 24 x 30.5. In fine condition.

According to Bachrach family legend, this portrait of Kennedy—the photographer’s most famous, among an astonishingly wide array of celebrity photos—almost failed to be. When Senator Kennedy sat for his photo in 1959, Bachrach returned to the studio to find that there were no useable images—all were either out of focus or showed Kennedy, suffering from chronic back pain, awkwardly standing. Desperate for a second chance, Bachrach phoned Kennedy’s office repeatedly, finally receiving an appointment for another session in the summer of 1960. With his subject detained by all-night Senate proceedings, the photographer was about to leave when Kennedy finally appeared. With time for only six shots, he worked quickly and expertly, capturing not only what would become the presidential portrait—the image offered here—but also the wildly popular image of Kennedy seated in his leather armchair with the American flag behind him. As the only known print of this portrait holding the gold embossed Bachrach stamp, inscribed to Fabian Bachrach himself, this is a one-of-a-kind example of the most iconic presidential photo in American history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=64

John F. Kennedy Black Necktie

One of John F. Kennedy’s personally-owned and -worn neckties. Solid black tie bears a Wembley Priestly’s Nor-East 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 solid black Wembley tie…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. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=71

John F. Kennedy Air Force One Passenger List

Original passenger manifest from Air Force One for Kennedy’s November 1963 trip to Texas, 8 x 10.5, 6 pages, November 21, 1963. The first page identifies the plane as “VC-137C - 26000,” is stamped twice, “For Official Use Only,” and bears a ballpoint notation, “AF #1, Guard.” First page consists of the passenger list for the flight from Andrews Air Force Base to San Antonio on November 21, with especially notable passengers including “The President,” “Mrs Kennedy,” “Mr. David F. Powers,” “Senator Ralph Yarborough,” “Mrs Evelyn Lincoln,” and “Mr. Clint Hill.” This list was evidently used as a checklist to make sure everyone made it aboard. Page two is for their next flight later that day, from San Antonio to Houston, with the notable additions of “Governor Connally” and “Mrs Connally.” Following this is the list of passengers flying from Houston to Fort Worth, set to take off at 10:30 p.m. and land 45 minutes later. The most historic page is the fourth, for the flight from Fort Worth to Dallas on the morning of November 22, taking off at 11:15 a.m. and landing 20 minutes later at Love Field. Despite two more scheduled flights, this was the last Kennedy would take—he was assassinated during the motorcade from Love Field to the Dallas Trade Mart. Had the trip gone as planned, Kennedy would have left Dallas for Austin at 2:35 p.m., stayed the night, and flown to Dulles International the following day at 2:15 p.m. Central vertical and horizontal folds and some soiling to the first page, otherwise fine condition. Originates from the estate of Sgt. Thomas Webb, the first crew chief of the Air Force One jet, a Boeing VC-137C, tail number 2600 (as indicated in this manifest). Also accompanied by two LBJ pins and gallery admission card. A remarkable official piece from what would become a national day of mourning. RR Auction COA.

 http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=125

John F. Kennedy Hotel Texas Presidential Phones

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. RR Auction COA.

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John F. Kennedy’s 18k Gold Presidential Ring

Elegant custom-made one-of-a-kind 18k gold handcrafted ring presented to President Kennedy by his wife Jacqueline in 1963. According to Kennedy’s secretary Evelyn Lincoln it was crafted by Cartier, though due to its being privately made, it bears no official maker’s mark. The 18 karat gold ring bears a detailed engraving of the presidential seal on the outside, and is hand-engraved on the inside, “J. B. K. to J. F. K.” Accompanied by a November 21, 1982 letter of provenance from Kennedy’s secretary Evelyn Lincoln, written on White House stationery, which reads, in part: “The 18K Gold Cartier handcrafted ring with the delicate and detailed Presidential Seal is a paramount example of a JFK personal item. After John F. Kennedy was inaugurated on January 20, 1961, it was approved for design by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Accordingly, she had it hand-engraved on the interior band with ‘JBK to JFK’ in an intricate script design. As I recall, it was meant to be worn by JFK on his left ring finger or the right pinkie. It was Mrs. Kennedy’s policy that some personal items could not be marked by the companies chosen by her, if she selected them to create special items or high quality gifts for JFK…When the President left his Oval Office for Dallas, I accompanied him. It was such a horrible time. Anyway, he left the ‘JBK to JFK’ ring in his desk drawer. I retrieved it upon my return.” A beautifully crafted and deeply personal gift from the First Lady. In fine, near mint condition. Provenance: The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection. RR Auction COA.

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RR Auctions John F. Kennedy Signed Book Profiles in Courage

Signed book: Profiles in Courage. Later printing. NY: Harper and Brothers, 1956. Hardcover with dust jacket, 6 x 8.5, 266 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page in blue ballpoint. Autographic condition: fine, with some scattered mild toning to signed page. Book condition: VG+/VG+. Black cloth-covered spine and blue paper-covered boards; light rubbing along edges; very light waterstain visible on front cover and edges of front pastedown/ffep; slightly yellowed. Dust jacket in protective mylar sleeve; few small tears and creases at corners and spine-ends; rubbed and lightly soiled; price-clipped. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

 http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=125

RR Auction John F. Kennedy Signed Mortgage Note

DS, one page, 8.5 x 13, January 2, 1957. Mortgage note reads, in full: “On the 2nd day of January, 1962, for value received, I promise to pay Joseph P. Kennedy of North Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach, Florida, or order, the principal sum of Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars, without interest. This note is secured by a mortgage of even date herewith on real property situate on Irving Avenue, Hyannisport, Massachusetts, and more fully described in said mortgage. Dated, the 2nd day of January, 1957.” Document is stapled into its original blue legal folder. In fine condition.


Having spent a great deal of his childhood at his parents’ summer cottage in Hyannis Port, JFK felt most at home on the water, often remarking, ‘I always come back to the Cape and walk on the beach when I have a tough decision to make.’ In 1956, while serving as Senator of Massachusetts, he and Jackie were delighted to buy their own house at 111 Irving Avenue, just two doors down from his parents. (Shortly after, Ted bought the house between the two—and later sold it to Robert—and their sister Eunice bought another a few doors away, rounding out the Kennedy Compound.) As his family and career grew, the small New England beach town became a landmark location, used not only as his personal home and ‘Summer White House’ but also as the base for his presidential campaign and the site of numerous important political engagements. 

This document, the mortgage note for the purchase of the iconic home, reveals that the young couple did not find their place on the Cape without a little help. The President’s father Joseph paid for the house in full, enabling his son to pay a no-interest mortgage for the purchase price directly to him, avoiding the costly interest that would have come with a bank mortgage. Yet again, family ties held strong in the Kennedy clan. Exceedingly rare and important, this document holds the heart of the compound that has been engrained in the public’s collective memory of America’s First Family, home to some of the most tragic and triumphant events in their lives. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

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RR Auction John F. Kennedy Vintage Ballpoint Signature

Vintage ballpoint signature, “John Kennedy,” on an off-white 3 x 5 sheet with a collector’s notation that it was signed on June 20, 1959, while Kennedy was a Massachusetts senator. Three horizontal folds and scattered toning and soiling, otherwise fine condition. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=51

RR Auction John F. Kennedy Signed Photo

Vintage matte-finish 11 x 14 Bachrach photo, signed and inscribed in fountain pen “For Senator Guy Gillette, with the esteem and warm regards of his old friend and colleague—John F. Kennedy.” In fine condition, with a bit of light silvering along bottom of image, and some scattered creases to edges and corners. Gillette served in the Senate from 1936–1945 and 1949–1955. In 1951 his Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections conducted an investigation of Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy's campaign practices. During his time in the Senate, Gillette enjoyed the support of Kennedy and his family. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=146