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John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. Autograph letters signed ("Jack" and "Jackie"). 4 pages of a bifolium, John: 1 page; Jackie, 3 pages, (5.25 x 7 inches), with original transmittal envelope, postmarked Beverly Hills, California, September 29, 1953, addressed in Jackie's hand: "Miss Kay Donovan / c/o Joseph P. Kennedy / 230 Park Ave. / New York City N.Y." Scattered spotting with 3" separation at horizontal fold.

During their honeymoon, Senator John Kennedy and bride Jackie each write a letter to Kay Donovan thanking her for coordinating their wedding.

"By all rights you should have marched up to the altar with Jack - but I'm glad you didn't!"

John Kennedy writes in full:

"Dear Kay:

I know life can never be the same for you after your month in Newport. I hope you are now going to write a book & tell all. You were terrific. Many, many, many thanks.

Jack"

Jackie Kennedy writes in full:

"Dear Kay -

Here we are basking in the sun in Los Angeles - and if it hadn't been for you - neither of us would be in the happy peaceful state of mind we both are. I feel so guilty - I think I did less work on my own wedding than any bride in history. You were the one that wrote all the letters and answered all the phones and kept your sanity through a month of meals with Janet and Jamie. By all rights you should have marched up to the altar with Jack - but I'm glad you didn't! I can't ever thank you enough for all you did. Besides all the work you did - you were always in such a happy mood that you made the weeks before the wedding pleasant instead of frenzied ones. I do hope that we'll see you when we get home - and I also hope that never in your life will you have to work so hard again - Love Jackie"

Young Senator John Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married on September 12, 1953 in a large ceremony held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island. More than 800 guests attended the ceremony while more than 1,200 guests attended the reception held on the terrace of the 300-acre oceanfront estate, Hammersmith Farm. The couple spent two weeks of their honeymoon in Acapulco and then stopped in California, first in Montecito at the San Ysidro Ranch, followed by a three-night stay at a Beverly Hills mansion once owned by William Randolph Hearst.


Auction Info

Auction Dates
May, 2022
7th Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 458

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