Details:

Inga Arvad typed letter to John F. Kennedy, dated November 3, 1943, written from her Los Angeles residence and addressed affectionately to Kennedy (“Jack”). This surviving two-page partial letter consists of both sides of a single typed sheet, representing the opening portion of a longer correspondence, with the remaining page or pages no longer present and presumably lost to time. The manuscript bears several handwritten corrections and revisions in Arvad’s hand, offering a revealing glimpse into her writing process and personal correspondence.

The letter is remarkable for its warmth, intimacy, and candid insight into Arvad’s continuing relationship with Kennedy during World War II. Writing from her newly established Hollywood apartment, Arvad describes her daily life in California while repeatedly expressing concern for Kennedy’s safety and longing for his return from military service in the Pacific. She reflects on mutual friends and acquaintances, recounts conversations in which Kennedy is praised for his intelligence and accomplishments, and references hearing his name frequently while navigating Hollywood social circles.

Particularly notable are Arvad’s repeated expressions of affection and emotional dependence upon Kennedy. She writes of silently praying for his safety, imagining future reunions, and measuring world events through the lens of his wartime service. The letter contains numerous personal observations regarding her work as a columnist, her life in Hollywood, and her hopes for the future, all framed around her continuing attachment to Kennedy. The surviving text provides an unusually intimate portrait of the emotional bond that persisted between the two despite wartime separation and the political pressures that had complicated their relationship.

Written only months after Kennedy’s heroic PT-109 service and during his continued naval duty in the Pacific, the letter dates from one of the most consequential periods of his young life. Correspondence from Arvad to Kennedy from this era remains exceedingly scarce and offers valuable insight into a formative chapter of Kennedy’s personal history long before his rise to national political prominence.

Good condition overall with light expected toning and age wear. The surviving manuscript consists of two typed pages on the front and reverse of a single sheet; the concluding portion of the original letter is not present.

Inga Arvad (1913-1973) was a Danish journalist, actress, and former Miss Denmark whose romance with John F. Kennedy became one of the most discussed relationships of his early life. While working as a journalist in Washington during World War II, Arvad and Kennedy became romantically involved, drawing the attention of U.S. intelligence officials due to concerns surrounding her European connections. Although no evidence ever established wrongdoing on her part, the scrutiny surrounding the relationship contributed to its eventual dissolution. Despite these pressures, surviving correspondence such as the present letter demonstrates the depth of feeling that remained between the two.

Letters and manuscripts documenting the Kennedy-Arvad relationship are among the most sought-after pieces of early Kennedy correspondence. A group of Kennedy letters written to Arvad sold at auction for more than $140,000, underscoring the enduring historical significance and collector demand for material relating to this deeply personal and influential chapter in Kennedy’s life.

Authentication:
Includes a full letter of authenticity from JG Autographs, Inc.

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Reference sku: 11665 1416314-1