Description:

John F. Kennedy
Washington, DC, ca. 1963
John & Jacqueline Kennedy Signed WH 1963 Christmas Gift Inscribed to Close Friend Joan Braden, PSA Authentic
Signed card

A printed lithograph gifted during the 1963 holiday season, signed by the President and First Lady as "John Kennedy" and "Jackie", respectively. The matted card measures 10.75" x 9.5" and is framed to an overall size of 11.75" x 10.5", Washington, D.C., [ca. 1963]. Inscribed by the First Lady along the lower margin: "For Joan- with all our best wishes and appreciation and affection/ Christmas 1963". The engraving, still housed within its original frame chosen by Jacqueline Kennedy, is displayed within a larger shadow box measuring 19.5" x 15.5" x 2". Exhibits uneven toning and scattered soiling to mount, not affecting inscription, with minor staining near "J" of Jackie. Gold foil affixed around the lithograph has been slightly detached at upper left. Otherwise, very attractive. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA. Formerly sold at Heritage about a decade ago for nearly $7000.

In 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy, who brought a sense of art and culture to the White House, created a Christmas gift to be sent to a small number of relatives and close friends. This was a picture of an engraving of the large Andrew Jackson statue that sits outside the White House. At the end of October or early November 1963, she asked the President to sign a handful of these, which he did in advance of the holiday. Filling in the rest of the inscription, the First Lady likely sent these out prior to the assassination, further emphasizing its rarity.

Joan Ridley Braden (d. 1999) was a senior aide to Nelson Rockefeller and worked on the campaigns of both Robert and John F. Kennedy. A close advisor and friend of the Kennedy family, she accompanied the First Lady on her goodwill tour of India and Pakistan in 1962. Her husband, Thomas Braden (1917-2009), was a CIA official and journalist who worked for several years as a covert agent in the fight against Communism. In her later years, Braden and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara were involved in a romantic affair after McNamara's wife, Margaret, had died and while Joan and Tom were still married.

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: 19.5" x 15.5" x 2"
  • Medium: Signed card

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November 19, 2025 10:00 AM EST
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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