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Description

An incredible rarity, signed just before their trip to Dallas in November 1963.

John and Jacqueline Kennedy and Family: Signed Photo Presentation, Christmas 1963. A 13" x 10" mat containing three color photos, two of Foster with Caroline (one where she is sticking her tongue out at the camera), and one of Foster with John Jr. (who has a candy sucker in his mouth). On the upper left area of the mat, Jacqueline has written: "For Mr. Foster- with the greatest appreciation/ and Merry Christmas from all of us/ Jacqueline Kennedy". Just beneath, the president signed "John Kennedy". At the lower left of the mat is the block letter (misspelled) signature of "CARONLINE". To the right of his photo, little John-John has made some ink marks and Caroline has aided him in spelling out his name "JOHN". Also included is a custom framed display of small envelope and note containing a 4" x 2.5" White House note card on which Jackie has written: "Merry Xmas-/ With our deepest/ appreciation-/ Jacqueline Kennedy/ Dec.-1963". She has written "Mr. Foster" on the accompanying White House envelope. An absolutely unique and amazingly poignant item given to Agent Foster as a special remembrance for Christmas 1963. Research has uncovered that the Kennedys had begun to sign their personal Christmas cards before their fateful trip to Dallas in November. From the collection of retired Secret Service agent Robert Foster.

Condition: The two framed displays present in excellent condition. The note card & envelope signed by Jackie has been properly and archivally custom framed to an overall size of 10" x 12". The photo mat containing the children with signatures is preserved as it was received directly from the Foster collection. Items have not been examined out of frame.

Provenance: Included with this lot is a 2008-dated, signed and notarized Letter of Authenticity from Mrs. Margaret Foster. It states, in part: "I, Margaret S. Foster, do attest that this picture, containing three (3) photographs of my husband, Robert W. Foster, U.S. Secret Service Agent (retired in 1978) with Caroline Kennedy and John Kennedy Jr. was given to him as a personal Christmas gift by Mrs. Kennedy in December 1963. The picture bears the signatures or marks of all four of the Kennedy family: President John Kennedy; Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy; Caroline Kennedy, who mis-spelled her name, and the scratches by John Kennedy, Jr. John, Jr. was then assisted in spelling out John. It is easily certifiable that Mr. Foster served as one of the five agents assigned to the Kennedy family from January/February of 1961 until Mrs. Kennedy and the children moved to New York City in 1964..." The letter is also signed by Paul Landis, another former Secret Service agent assigned to the Kennedy family protection


Auction Info

Proxy Bidding Ends 
October
24th Friday 10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
October
24th-25th Friday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining 
16 Days 10h 36m 10s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
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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.
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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261

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