Description:

John F. Kennedy
n.p., n.d.
John F. Kennedy 6x Signed "History of Ireland" - Gorgeous Illustrated 6-Vol. Set With JSA LOA for Each Volume!
Signed Books

A 6-volume set of illustrated books exploring Irish history, signed six times within (once in each volume) by 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), each time as "John F. Kennedy." The set of six half-volumes (first edition, 3rd printing) was written by Irish historian Edward Alfred D'Alton, "History of Ireland: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day" (London: The Gresham Publishing Company, Thirty-Four Southampton Street Strand, 1912), printed by The Educational Company of Ireland, Limited, Dublin. N.d., n.p. In the first five volumes, Kennedy has signed his name on the front loose endpaper at the top; in the sixth volume, Kennedy has signed his name at the top of the back loose endpaper, which is detached but included. Kennedy's signatures vary somewhat in what is underlined, and also in the angle of appearance on the page. Vol. I, Half-Volume I, to the year 1210: Prefaces and Table of Contents: v-xxi; 1-284pp. Vol. II, Half-Volume II, 1210 to 1547: Table of Contents: v-x; 285-539pp. Vol. III, Half-Volume III, 1547-1649: Preface and Table of Contents: v-xii; 1-256pp. Vol. IV, Half-Volume IV, 1649-1782: Table of Contents: v-xi; 257-555pp. Vol. V, Half-Volume V, 1782-1879: Table of Contents: v-xii; 1-272pp. Vol. VI, Half-Volume VI, 1879-1908: Table of Contents: v-xi; 273-580pp. The set measures approximately 6.75" x 9" x 8" altogether. Each signed volume is accompanied by a JSA LOA, details to be elaborated below.

The handsome suite of books feature green cloth covered boards with fancy yellow green- and gilt-tooled front covers and spines. Color frontispieces from Vol. I, II, III, IV, and VI are all present; Vol. V's frontispiece, "Irish House of Commons," is missing. The set is profusely illustrated with 45+ black and white plates and 15+ maps and plans, some of them fold-out. Expected wear to the binding including cracked spines, notably affecting Vol. VI; along with minor edge wear/ shelf rubbing, isolated sunning, and isolated loss to the spines of Vol. IV and Vol. V. Expected wear within including scattered minor foxing, light toning, and isolated minor closed tears, including one touching Kennedy's signature in Vol. II. Else near fine, and an incredible association piece relating to President Kennedy's Irish ancestry.

Kennedy might have read with interest the section of Reverend D'Alton's book in Vol. I, Chapter IX, "The Dalcassian Kings," treating the early life of the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru: "Brian Boru was of the family of Cormac Cas. His father was Kennedy, son of Lorcan. He was slain in battle with the Danes (951). At his death Brian was but a lad of ten years…" (Vol. I, p. 127.) The surname "Kennedy" derived from the Irish name of Brian Boru's warrior father, Cennétig mac Lorcáin. Cennétig has variously been translated to mean "ugly head," "helmeted head," or "grim head." Before his death, Cennétig mac Lorcáin consolidated power in the kingdom of Limerick, effectively challenging the supremacy of the kings of Munster. Brian Boru assumed leadership of the Delcassians in 976 and served as High King of Ireland from 1002-1014.

John F. Kennedy was extremely proud of his double Irish lineage. Both sets of his paternal and maternal great-grandparents were Irish immigrants. On the Kennedy side, his great-grandfather and great-grandmother come from County Wexford, in southeastern coastal Ireland. On his mother's side, his great-grandfather and great-grandmother hailed from County Limerick (western Ireland) and County Fermanagh (northern Ireland) respectively. President Kennedy visited Ireland to great fanfare in June 1963, just five months before his assassination. In a June 27, 1963 address delivered at the quay at New Ross, Ireland, Kennedy said: "I am glad to be here. It took 115 years to make this trip, and 6,000 miles, and three generations. But I am proud to be here and I appreciate the warm welcome you have given to all of us. When my great-grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things: a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty. I am glad to say that all of his great-grandchildren have valued that inheritance…"

Reverend Edward Alfred D'Alton (1859-1941) published articles and books on Irish history and Irish organized religion starting around 1900. Ordained as a Catholic priest in 1887, he served as pastor of Ballinrobe in 1911, as domestic prelate in 1912, and as dean and vice-general of the Archdiocese of Tuam in County Gallway, by 1930. "History of Ireland" was D'Alton's most celebrated work. The first edition, which covered the period of the Dark Ages to 1908, was published in three volumes between 1903-1910. The expanded second edition of "History of Ireland" continued the national narrative through the 1920s, and was published between 1920-1925.

Provenance

Each of the six Kennedy signed volumes have their own Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (Parsippany, New Jersey), as follows:

- Volume I, JSA LOA certification number YY60623, February 12, 2024
- Volume II, JSA LOA certification number YY60626, February 12, 2024
- Volume III, JSA LOA certification number YY60627, February 12, 2024
- Volume IV, JSA LOA certification number YY60622, February 12, 2024
- Volume V, JSA LOA certification number YY60624, February 12, 2024
- Volume VI, JSA LOA certification number YY60625, February 12, 2024

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: 6.75" x 9" x 8" altogether
  • Artist Name: John F. Kennedy
  • Medium: Signed Books

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