Description:

Kennedy Jacqueline

Jacqueline Kennedy ALS to her Mum regarding her trip to London visiting Lee, 1955

 

Two page ALS on light blue stationary stock, 5.25" x 7." Extensively written in the hand of Jacqueline Kennedy to 3 sides, leaving the final page blank. Signed by Jacqueline as " XXXX Jackie".  Although undated, the letter comes with her hand addressed and postmarked mailing envelope dated "July 5, 1955", 5.75" x 3.75." Addressed to her mother at Hammersmith Farm, Newport Rhode Island. Both letter and envelope in fine condition with envelope neatly sliced along top edge.

 

A lovely letter from Jacqueline, who frequently writes to her mother. Jacqueline is now Mrs. Kennedy, having married John in Sept of 1953. Her letter describes her visit with her sister, Lee, in London. Aside from Jackie offering a detailed day by day synopsis of their activities, her letter appears to have the purpose to also asway her mother's concerns over Lee's marital strife. Lee married Michael Canfield two years earlier beating her older sister to the alter. The two sisters had always maintained classic sibling rivalry. By marrying first, Lee had upstaged her older sister, but within two months of catching Lee’s bouquet, Jackie trumped her once more by becoming engaged to the most eligible bachelor in America, the dashing soon-to-be senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy. He was handsome, witty, and intelligent, and he was very, very rich.

 

Lee's marriage however had concerned her parents from the start, with both fearing that Michael would "never be able to afford Lee." As it later turned out, their fears were validated.

In London, Lee enjoyed an extraordinary social whirl, but the marriage was not particularly happy. When Jackie visited her sister in London and Canfield asked her how he could hold on to Lee, Jackie answered, “Get more money, Michael.” When he demurred that he already had a good salary, Jackie explained, “No, Michael. I mean real money.” But what finally ended the marriage was Lee’s affair with the émigré aristocrat Stanislaw “Stas” Radziwill.

 

This letter from Jackie to her mother was from this period of Jacqueline's life, trying to balance her life with "Jack" ("I hope Jack is well - I'm sure he is …), while trying to  calm her mother regarding the state of Lee's marriage by putting her mother's "mind at rest.". Her letter is shown in part below:

 

 

"Dearest Mummy,

 

All your lovely telegrams … they made me so happy - I wish you could have been with me - you will experience it all this fall - but to get off the plane - see Lee + Michaels beaming faces - come back to this most enchanting of flats - the way Lee has it fixed up just makes me know she is a budding Lady Mendel … The 3 of us had lunch, avocado filled with shrimp + capers - oeufs poches's hollandaise on rice - melon stuffed with fat strawberries - + white wine - a typical Lee meal!

 

Jacqueline who is blitzing London with her sister offers a week of their schedule to her mother:

Sunday we went out to the More Oferralls in the county + to polo at Caudray

Monday Cocktail party at David Metcaffs- antique shops with Lee all day - 4th of July at Embassy with Du Boulays - dinner home

Tues dinner before Gilbert Miller party-

Wed Lee having cocktail party here for me

Thurs Boating party at Michael Astor + Andrew Devonshire - on river boat at night

Fri weekend in the country with Sonny + Susan Blanford -

Next week is Ascot -

 

As you can see- there are so many fun things happening - but not so many that they are exhausting + I have all day to wander + talk with Lee - we both have sore throats from chattering - she looks so well - so does Michael - everyone adores them - her house is known for heavenly parties a + good food - They seem very happy + gay together - so it couldn't be happier + should set your mind at rest …

 

I hope Jack is well - I'm sure he is … "

 

A lovely letter written in Jacqueline's early years as Mrs. John Kennedy, while all the while still trying to be there for her sister.


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