JFK Notes on Reminder Memo from Jackie; the First Lady Helps the President During his 1st Month in Office!

1p typed internal memorandum addressed to 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) and sent from First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (1929-1994), inscribed with 15+ words in JFK's hand. Accompanied by a transcript of JFK's notes on "The White House / Washington" stationery, dating the memo from February 1961--the President's first full month in office. Expected light wear including isolated wrinkles, else near fine. The memo measures 8" x 10.5". Ex-Forbes Collection.

John F. Kennedy was inaugurated on January 20, 1961. The First Lady evidently helped the President to stay organized and fulfill his obligations during the subsequent chaos of JFK's first full month in office. Jackie reminded JFK to "talk to Ambassador Duke about cutting down the number of State dinners" and to consider which Swiss post to award a certain "Mr. Cieplinski."

Kennedy jotted down nearly 15 words on both sides of this memo, numbering some items, underlining others, and encircling still more. They constitute a sort of to-do list. Item Number 1 reads "Letter to DeGaulle". Could this have been related to the Kennedys' future state visit to France, which took place in late May 1961? The other bullet points suggest a full docket relating to domestic and international concerns alike, from meeting the Senate after breakfast, to discussing Pakistan.

"Ambassador Duke" was Angier Biddle Duke (1915-1995), a career diplomat who served as the Chief of Protocol for the U.S. State Department with the rank of Ambassador between 1960-1965. Duke would also serve as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, Denmark, Spain, and Morocco during his career.

"Mr. Cieplinski" could have possibly referred to Michel Cieplinksi, a Polish-born American national educated in Austria and Switzerland who would join the State Department four months later, in June 1961.

Provenance: Ex-Forbes Collection. Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990), the American owner-publisher of Forbes magazine and a consummate collector, amassed one of the most substantial autograph collections of such breadth and depth that it filled a half-dozen residences on three continents. Many of his manuscripts were sold in a series of multi-million dollar sales by Christie's in the early 2000s. The Forbes name is considered to be the apex of provenance, especially when attached to an item like the above. We are honored to have been chosen by the family to sell at auction the substantial balance of the collection.

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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