LOT #43092 |
Current Bid: $3,200
John F. Kennedy: Pair of His Personal Wool "Long John" Underwear....
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Description
John F. Kennedy: Pair of His Personal Wool "Long John" Underwear. An extraordinary and highly personal relic from America's 35th president. This well-worn pair of wool "long johns" carries a sewn-in ID label reading "John F. Kennedy," leaving no doubt as to their ownership.The pair boasts exceptional provenance. They were purchased by noted Maryland collector and dealer Richard Wilson at a highly publicized catalog of Kennedy memorabilia in 1998. The sale drew national media attention, with the New York Post illustrating its coverage with a photo of Wilson proudly holding this very pair. They realized $3,000 at the time, a strong result that underscored the appetite for personal Kennedy artifacts.
Their backstory is as colorful as their survival is improbable. In the early 1950s, Jacqueline Kennedy disposed of a quantity of furnishings, antiques, clothing, and household items through a Bethesda antiques dealer. Among them were two pairs of JFK's long johns-this pair, with label intact, and another unlabeled pair. Incredibly, the garments had been pressed into service as wrapping material for fragile glassware before making their way into collectors' hands. Wilson later offered the unlabeled pair for $5,500.
Objects of such intimacy from Kennedy are exceedingly rare in the marketplace. This pair, with clear identification, press-documented provenance, and an almost legendary collecting story, represents a remarkable opportunity for the advanced Kennedy or presidential collector.
Condition: Clearly worn, but they are in excellent condition.
Auction Info
2025 October 24 - 25 Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6324 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
October
24th
Friday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
October
24th-25th
Friday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
2 Days
5h 37m 4s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: 26
Page Views: 260
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 43001-43191) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, October 24, 2025.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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