Description:

Jacqueline Kennedy
[Washington, DC], ca. 1962
Jackie Kennedy Orders The 1962 Christmas Card, and Approximates JFK's Signature
ANS
A charming autograph note signed by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy penned on a sheet of White House notepaper, two pages, 5" x 8", [Washington, 1962], to her Social Secretary Letitia "Tish" Baldridge. In fine condition.

She writes, in part: "…This is the final decision on our Xmas card - so ignore my notes inside big envelope to you…Order more than just for heads of state - He [John F. Kennedy] will want to send some to Cabinet & Gov etc & I could send about 25 to old non political friends - abroad - etc…See if you have Macmillan's card from last yr - Anyway - so many people do photographed Xmas cards here - the heavy card paper suitable for printing photos shouldn't be too hard to find. If there is a great problem printing The White House in script on envelope - do it in whatever dye [sic] we have in black print…[the] Help's smaller card can have [a] foto on it & add message in our handwriting: ex. Merry Christmas [here Jackie scribbles JFK's infamous signature] Jaqueline Kennedy December 25, 1962…I'll send you signatures in photostat…".

Upon her installment in the White House, Jacqueline Kennedy immediately sought to upgrade and preserve what she dubbed "that dreary Maison Blanche." Rather than simply renovate or update the style, she focused on highlighting history of the building, restoring it to its eighteenth-century glory and furnishing it with items of historical significance. This devotion to tradition and taste informed Jackie's decision-making as First Lady on all levels, right down to the design of Christmas cards which exhibited artistic expression over the formulaic portrait cards of the past. The 1962 card referenced in our letter would feature an evocative photograph taken on Feb. 13 1962 by White House photographer Cecil Stoughton, showing the Kennedy children in a sleigh pulled by the pony "Macaroni" on the lawn in front of the White House.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5" x 8"
  • Medium: ANS

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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