Description:

A devotional scapular given by John F. Kennedy to the son of a longtime friend and supporter, extremely well documented

A 1" x 1.5" devotional White Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, bearing a serrated green border with a green cord, and encapsulated in a plastic sleeve, bearing a portrait of the Virgin Mary on the recto and the following printed text on verso: "NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY PRAY FOR US." The Scapular was given by John F. Kennedy to Jonathan E. Mahanna, the son of John G. W. Mahanna, a longtime friend and political supporter of Kennedy. Offered together with a letter of provenance signed by the younger Mahanna. Fine condition.

John G. W. Mahanna was a native of Lenox, Massachusetts who worked as a correspondent for the Springfield Republican and Berkshire Eagle during the 1930s. During the Second World War he served in the Office of Naval Intelligence seeing action in the Pacific. Toward the end of his service, stationed in San Francisco, he first met John F. Kennedy, who was visiting the city as a reporter for Hearst covering the United Nations Conference. The pair hit if off immediately and several years after Mahanna's return to western Massachusetts, he began working as an organizer for Kennedy in western Massachusetts, and he and his wife were guests at Kennedy's wedding to Jacqueline Bouvier. During Kennedys' administration, Mahanna was employed in the Office of Civil Defense and continued in government service in a variety of posts until his retirement in 1976.

According his son's letter of provenance, Kennedy gave this Scapular to him as late as 1961. In addition to his father's work for Kennedy, his mother, "would organize social teas for Kennedy's campaigns... and whenever Kennedy was passing through the area, he would stay at our home in Pittsfield. Massachusetts... I still have fond memories of the times spent with John F. Kennedy... I remember Kennedy as very sincere, warm person, a devout Catholic and always extremely gracious."

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Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive, we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx and USPS to P.O. Boxes only. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT and may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 28, 2016 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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