LOT RR Auction  /  RR Auction Quality Autograph Auction 372  / 

65

Jacqueline Kennedy

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Jacqueline Kennedy

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2011 Jun 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Thirteen sheets of unsigned notes and seating charts, in ink and pencil, for a state dinner held at the White House on May 11, 1962, all written in the hand of Jacquline Kennedy on 5 x 8 sheets of White House letterhead. The guest list for the dinner, given in honor of André Malraux, the French Minister of Cultural Affairs for deGaulle, included such prominent politicians, writers, and visual and performing artists as Thornton Wilder, Agnes deMille, Susan Strasberg, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Schlesinger, and Adam Clayton Powell. Jackie’s notes are both insightful and fascinating, revealing the delicacy that went into planning such an event to keep all guests happy. Some excerpts: “Important people—so put them next to people they will think important!”; “Put Boudin next to quite stuffy ladies…but no one who will tell press what he does here (like that gossip Elena)”; “Congressman Adam Powell next to…Susan Strasberg—put someone who speaks French (Embassy, youngish) on her other side or Mike if he is really good. He is 1st choice as he & Adam can talk over her”; “Rush 4 copies to Alphond, Malraux, Jack, Me…in 3 places where * explain who people are—Check finished seating with Arthur—Ask him to see Mr. Fulbright’s table—who should sit next to Harrison.” Also included is a three-page printout of the guest list, complete with table and seat assignments, as well as an embossed draft menu. In fine condition overall, with some mild creasing and soiling to a few pages.

Mrs. Kennedy is said to have gone to great lengths to personally oversee the logistics for the Malraux state dinner, triple-checking every item and constantly checking memos to herself—examples of which are offered here. Obsessing over the guest list, she added more than 175 invitees and juggled names to create the perfect arrangement, personally calling Tennessee Williams to convince him to attend after he balked that it was ‘too far to go to for dinner,’ seating “important people...next to people they will think important,” and finding someone “youngish” and able to speak French next to actress Susan Strasberg. Jackie was determined to create the perfect setting so that she could then lay the groundwork for a loan of the Mona Lisa, housed in the Louvre, for exhibition in the National Gallery. The painting was ultimately displayed there from January to March 1963, including a special premiere viewing for President and Mrs. Kennedy, the cabinet, the Supreme Court, the Congress, and the diplomatic corps. An absolutely fantastic look into the creative and fast-paced mind of the first lady!
Sign In to Bookmark Lot