Description:

John F. Kennedy
various, ca. 1947-1963
JFK Association With RCC Church: Richard Cushing & Francis Spellman Archive, 6 Pcs
Archive

A group of autographed material and memorabilia relating to Francis J. Spellman (1889-1967) and Richard J. Cushing (1895-1970), two of the most prominent Roman Catholic prelates in the United States, and both family friends of the Kennedy Family. Ca. 1947-1963. Various places. The six pieces in this archive include typed letters signed, signed photos or prints, signed First Day Covers, signature clips, and an amaranth red silk zucchetto, or skullcap, attributed to Cushing. Featuring a total of four Cushing signatures and two Spellman signatures. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good to near fine. The largest piece measures 8" x 10." Accompanied by an Auction Certificate from RR Auction (Amherst, New Hampshire), ca. October 2023.

Francis J. Spellman was a friend of Joseph Kennedy, Sr., and he also attended the weddings of four of the nine Kennedy children: Robert, Edward, Jean, and Eunice. Spellman, a Massachusetts native, served as Archbishop of New York between 1939-1967, and was appointed a Cardinal in 1946. Significantly, Spellman did not support the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy, objecting to what he perceived as JFK's liberalism, in addition to JFK's stance on not funding parochial schools with federal aid, and not establishing a U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. Instead, Archbishop Spellman endorsed Republican presidential candidate and non-Catholic Richard M. Nixon.

Richard J. Cushing was a close friend of John F. Kennedy. In addition to having baptized many of the Kennedy children, he officiated at John and Jackie's 1953 wedding. He read an invocation at the 1961 inauguration, and later conducted numerous televised funeral masses for the slain president in Washington, D.C. and Boston. He served as Archbishop of Boston between 1944-1970, and was appointed a Cardinal in 1958.

The items include, in chronological order:

Richard Cushing

1. A 1p typed letter signed by Richard Cushing as "† R J Cushing" at center. September 25, 1947. [Brighton, Massachusetts.] On a watermarked half-sheet of stationery with "Archbishop's House" letterhead. Hand-stamp docketed near the bottom. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and isolated scuffs. Else near fine. 8.5" x 7.25."

Cushing thanked Milwaukee book publisher William G. Bruce for "the beautiful publication of PRACTICAL MANUAL FOR MARRIAGE CASES by Father William J. Doheny…" The first edition of this bilingual religious textbook in Latin and English had been published in 1938, and explored questions of canon law, such as the validity of marriage in various circumstances.

2. A First Day Cover envelope, "Visit of U.S.A. President, / John F. Kennedy, / to H.H. Pope Paul VI, / Vatican City, July 2, 1963" signed by Richard Cushing as: "to Richard Cardinal Cushing" in the address section. With a cancelled 5-lire Italian stamp, and two hand-stamp postmarks, July 2, 1963, Cittia' del Vaticano. Near fine.

3. A striking color print of Richard Cushing, inscribed and signed by him at the bottom as: "Albert / With affection, blessings and / prayerful mementos: / † Richard Cardinal Cushing." A signature clip belonging to Richard Cushing as: "Delighted to be of service / The Cardinal -" is affixed verso. Near fine. 6.5" x 9.5."

4. An amaranth red silk zucchetto, or skullcap, with intact beige chamois lining, approximately 6.5" diameter. Isolated stains in the interior, else near fine. Accompanied by a 1p manuscript of provenance stating in part: "Zucchetto (skullcap) of Card. Cushing when he was archbishop of Boston… gave this… to a priest as a gift…"

Francis Spellman

5. A 1p typed letter signed by Francis Spellman as "F.J. Cardinal Spellman" near center. March 11, 1949. [New York, New York.] On watermarked stationery with "Cardinal's Residence" letterhead. Flattened transmittal folds, else near fine. 8" x 10." Thanking a Rocky Mount, North Carolina man named Henry Gregory, Jr., and mentioning a letter to the Editor of "The Evening Telegram" of the same town. Cardinal Spellman's aforementioned letter discussed the dangers of Communism.

6. A glossy color photographic print of Cardinal Francis Spellman seated in his ecclesiastical robes, inscribed and signed at center as: "Josephine Tumolillo / with a blessing / F. Cardinal / Spellman." Expected surface wear including corner wrinkles. 6.625" x 9."

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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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  • Provenance: Certificate from RR Auction.
  • Dimensions: largest item measures 8" x 10"
  • Medium: Archive

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