Description:

Kennedy Jacqueline 1929 - 1994 "I hope it will remind you of all those happy days." Interesting, but cryptic, letter of Jackie Kennedy written not long after the Assassination.



Autograph Note Signed "Jacqueline Kennedy," 5.25" x 3.5" black-bordered Kennedy crested card. No place, [1963/1964]. To White House Chief Usher J. B. West. Rust impression from paper clip at top edge. Fine condition.


In full, "For Mr. West- This seemed very funny when I found it for you - but I hope it will remind you of all those happy days - Jacqueline Kennedy"

J.Bernard West was Assistant Usher of the White House from 1941 to 1957 when he became Chief Usher; he retired in 1969. Lady Bird Johnson wrote in her diary about first meeting West on the morning of November 26, 1963, at The Elms, the Johnsons' home in Washington, to discuss moving three rooms of furniture into the White House after Mrs. Kennedy and her children moved out. It was the day after President Kennedy's funeral.

That afternoon, at Mrs. Kennedy's request, Mrs. Johnson came to the White House to discuss the housekeeping details. Mrs. Johnson wrote in her diary, "She told that the two people in the house I could always depend on were Mr. West, who knew more than anybody else, and James Ketchum, the curator." If there is ever a problem about anything (e.g. "if you don't like a particular type of cookie, for instance"), "Just tell everything to Mr. West‰Û_"

Mrs. Kennedy and her children left Washington on Thursday, November 28th, to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Hyannis, returning to the White House on December 1st. It was during this last week in the White House that, according to First Lady author, journalist, and historian and Carl Anthony she "wrote out by hand several dozen note cards, lined in black mourning with the crest of her husband's family, to every individual person, be they full-time or part-time who worked in the White House and served her husband. In order to be certain that nobody was forgotten, Jackie Kennedy ended up writing about a dozen more than necessary. Each carried the same simple message of appreciation: 'Thank you for all you did to help the President. Jacqueline Kennedy.'"

This "note card, lined in black mourning with the crest of her husband's family," was printed after she left the White House for Hyannis on November 28, 1963, returning December 1st. . She had spent her last days in the White House packing. Evidently, she found something Mr. West would want and clipped it to this card.

On Friday, December 6, 1963, exactly two weeks after the assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy and her two children moved out of the White House to their new temporary home in Georgetown, just three blocks from the house the Kennedys had left in January 1961.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive as 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 but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky 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 full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000