Lot 505
Kennedy, Jacqueline (1929 - 1994). Wife of President John Kennedy, her interest in the arts inspired national attention to culture and she made the White House a historical museum. She demonstrated great courage after President Kennedy's assassination. After the death of her second husband, Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, she became a book editor for Doubleday.
Thirteen pages in Jackie Kennedy's handwriting, on "The White House Washington" stationery, planning a White House dinner in honor of Andre Malraux, who was at that time the French Minister of Cultural Affairs. The dinner was held Friday, May 11, 1962 at the White House. As she plans the dinner, Jackie exhibits her mastery of detente. Guests included prominent politicians, as well as several well-known authors and artists of a variety of fields of endeavor, such as Thornton Wilder, 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--Mrs. Burden or Mrs. Walker--…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…Put Sen & Mrms. Jackson & Mrs. Douglas with squares…"
Vice President Lyndon Johnson table mates included Thornton Wilder, Agnes de Mille, and Mrs. Lindbergh. Arthur Schlessinger's table included Tennessee Williams and Susan Strasberg. A three-page printed guest list lists 179 invitees, among them Rothko, Balanchine, Bernstein, Rockefeller, Fulbright, Bundy, Cheyefsky, Bonham-Carter, and many well-known names. An engraved dinner menu is also present. Overall fine.
Estimated Value $7,500 - 10,000.
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