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Sale 40
Manuscript and Collectibles Auction
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Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 142 |
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Kennedy, Jacqueline (1929-94) As wife of President John F. Kennedy, her interest in the arts inspired national attention to culture and she made the White House a historical museum. Her courage after JFK's assassination inspired the nation. She later married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and became a book editor for Doubleday.
Thirteen pages of handwritten notes on White House stationery regarding a dinner held Friday, May 11, 1962 at the White House in honor of Andre Malraux, renowned French author who was at that time the French Minister of Cultural Affairs. Guests included prominent politicians, as well as several well-known writers and artists, such as Thornton Wilder, Saul Bellow, Paddy Chayefsky, Agnes DeMille, Susan Strasberg, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Schlessinger, and Adam Clayton Powell. Her notes are fascinating: "..Important people - so put them next to people they will think important!…put Boudin next to quite stuffy ladies…but no one who will tell press what he does here (like that gossip Elena)…put someone who speaks French (Embassy, youngish) on her other side…" Some pages have drawings of tables and the positioning of the guests. At a table with Mrs. Fulbright and Gilbert Harrison, she makes a note to place a "smart woman" next to Harrison, and adds, "ask Arthur." Vice President Lyndon Johnson's table has Agnes de Mille, Thornton Wilder, and Mrs. Lindberg among the guests and a table headed by "Eunice" (presumably Kennedy) has (Leonard) Bernstein listed as a guest. A three-page list of the guests is included, as is the menu from the dinner.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 143 |
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Kennedy, Jacqueline Bouvier. First issue of the 1964 Kennedy dollar mounted with JFK's famous quote, "…ask not what your country can do for you…." and signed on the mount by Mrs. Kennedy in black ink, n.p., n.d. Housed in a 4¼" x 6½" lucite holder. This coin was first struck in 1964, less than a year after the death of President Kennedy. The composition was 90% silver and 10% copper. The front features the face of President Kennedy; the Coat of Arms of the President of the U.S. is on the reverse.
Estimated Value $400 - 600.
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| Realized
$489 |
Lot 144 |
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Reagan, Nancy Davis (1921-) First Lady of President Ronald Reagan. Typed Letter Signed "Nancy" as First Lady, on White House letterhead, one page, 9½" x 6", Washington, 30 Mar. 1981. Very good; rust marks at top and left edge from a paper clip, and a few edge creases. To Rupert Allan, a public relations executive and close friend of the Reagans who had been quoted in a Los Angeles newspaper as saying that "all their non-Jewish friends" would be at the White House, and remarking that "the Reagans are drowning in rich friends." Allan asked for a retraction but the newspaper stood by its quotes.
Mrs. Reagan writes, in part: "I think we should just put this all behind us now and learn from it and forget about it. I suppose the lesson…is that you can never be too careful of who you give your interview to or of what you say. It was one of the most unkind and vicious stories I think I have ever read. However…let's pretend it never happened. We've known each other for too many years for me to believe that even in fun…you would ever make such remarks about us…." Accompanied by a letter to Allan from the reporters who wrote the story, a mailgram from Allan to the editor of the paper, a copy of a complaint filed by Allan with The National News Council, and copies of two newspaper articles reporting the story.
Estimated Value $900 - 1,200.
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| Unsold |
Lot 145 |
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Truman, Margaret (1924 -) Daughter of President Harry S Truman and Bess Truman; author and singer. White House Card Signed in black ink, 2½x4", n.p., n.d. Very fine. When Washington Post music critic Paul Hume criticized Margaret's singing in 1950, the enraged President and proud father wrote Hume, "…I never met you, but if I do you'll need a new nose and a supporter below."
Estimated Value $100 - 125.
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| Unsold |
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