Description:

Jacqueline Kennedy
Washington, DC, ca. 1961
JFK Owned Iconic Jackie Kennedy Negative from Life Magazine Sitting, Ex. Robert White Collection
Photograph

Original photographic negative capturing the iconic portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy photographed by Mark Shaw for Life magazine. The vintage film negative showcases the reversed red-toned image of the well-known portrait of Mrs. Kennedy seated indoors beside a window, resting her chin on her hand. The negative preserves the original composition used for the widely circulated photograph of Jacqueline Kennedy during the early years of the Kennedy administration. The negative is housed in its original negative holder which includes handwritten notations: "58M 38Y" and "THIS NEG!" Visible borders, cropping lines, and editorial markings reflect the working process of magazine photo editors and printers. Accompanied by a certificate from "The Robert L. White Collection of John F. Kennedy" stating "From JFK's White House Files- JFK's personally owned Jackie Kennedy large negative from his personal file used to make the famous response photo." In fine condition, the negative measures 4" x 5" and the photograph accompanying the negative measures 8" x 10."

Ex. John F. Kennedy White House Files, from the Robert L. White Museum Collection, the most respected and comprehensive JFK archive ever assembled.

In January of 2025, University Archives sold the UPI negative of the iconic John John Salute photograph for $10,000.

Jacqueline Kennedy became one of the most photographed and admired First Ladies in American history, and many of the most iconic images of her were taken by photographer Mark Shaw. In 1961, Shaw photographed Jackie for the cover of Look magazine, producing a portrait that later became widely circulated after the White House mistakenly distributed it worldwide as an "official" photograph. Shaw, who had unusual personal access to the Kennedy family, captured Jacqueline Kennedy in a relaxed and elegant style that helped define her public image during the early years of the Kennedy presidency. Jackie herself deeply admired Shaw's work; in a note written just two weeks before President John F. Kennedy's assassination, she praised his photographs of her with young John F. Kennedy Jr., remarking that they "really should be in the National Gallery." Shaw's images of Jacqueline Kennedy remain among the most recognizable photographs of the Camelot-era White House and have appeared in books, exhibitions, and magazines for decades.

Only two weeks before John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Jacqueline Kennedy wrote a note to Shaw thanking him for photographs of her with her three-year-old, John F. Kennedy Jr.: "They really should be in the National Gallery! I have them propped up in our Sitting Room now, and everyone who comes in says the one of me and John looks like a Caravaggio, and the one of John, reflected in the table, like some wonderful, strange, poetic Matisse. And, when I think of how you just clicked your camera on an ordinary day in that dreary, green Living Room. I just can't thank you enough, they will always be my greatest treasures. Anyone who puts a finger-print on them will have his hand chopped!"

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 4" x 5"
  • Medium: Photograph

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

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

March 25, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% 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