Details:

John F. Kennedy Runnymede Memorial Dedication photograph archive consisting of the personal album of Benjamin A. Smith II, containing 18 original Type I double-weight 8 x 10” photographs, including 15 original color photographs and 3 original black-and-white photographs, documenting the dedication of the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, England, on May 14, 1965. The album captures Jacqueline Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, and other dignitaries during the historic ceremony. One of the black-and-white photographs bears the backstamp of famed White House photographer Cecil Stoughton.

An exceptional and historically important photographic archive chronicling one of the most significant international memorial ceremonies held in honor of President John F. Kennedy following his assassination. On May 14, 1965, Queen Elizabeth II formally dedicated the Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, a one-acre parcel of English soil permanently gifted to the people of the United States. The memorial stands near the site where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, symbolically linking Kennedy’s commitment to liberty with one of history’s foundational documents of constitutional government.

The photographs capture numerous intimate moments throughout the day’s ceremonies, many of which were never widely published. Featured prominently are Jacqueline Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Elizabeth II, together with members of the extended Kennedy family and British dignitaries. Several images depict the procession through the wooded pathway leading to the memorial, while others show attendees gathered before the inscribed Portland stone monument bearing Kennedy’s words from his inaugural address. Additional photographs document the formal dedication ceremony, candid interactions among the Kennedy family, and departures from the official platform.

Of particular interest, Benjamin A. Smith II appears in all three of the original black-and-white photographs, providing a direct visual connection between the archive and its original owner. As President Kennedy’s Harvard roommate, lifelong friend, and one of the family’s closest confidants, Smith was among the invited guests at the Runnymede dedication. His presence in the photographs transforms the album from a collection of event images into a firsthand documentary record of the ceremony, preserving not only the historic occasion itself but also Smith’s personal participation in one of the Kennedy family’s most significant post-assassination memorial events.

The archive includes 15 original color Type I photographs together with 3 original black-and-white Type I photographs. One of the black-and-white photographs bears the Cecil Stoughton photographer’s backstamp on the reverse. Stoughton served as Chief White House Photographer during the Kennedy administration and produced many of the most iconic images associated with President Kennedy and his family. His photographs remain among the most desirable and historically significant presidential images of the twentieth century.

Adding further importance is the archive’s provenance from the personal collection of Benjamin A. Smith II. Smith shared a room with John F. Kennedy while both attended Harvard University and remained one of Kennedy’s closest lifelong friends. Following Kennedy’s election to the presidency, Smith was appointed to the United States Senate after Kennedy vacated his Massachusetts seat. Throughout his life Smith carefully preserved memorabilia documenting both his friendship with the Kennedy family and many of the major events surrounding Camelot, making items from his collection especially desirable to advanced Kennedy collectors.

The photographs are housed in their original ring-bound loose leaf photograph album, quarto (9.75 x 10.5") in red leatherette boards. Near fine condition overall with light expected handling and age wear along edges and spine.

This album is identical in format to the personal Runnymede memorial album owned by Lee Bouvier Radziwill, President Kennedy’s sister-in-law, whose example realized $20,000 at Christie’s during The Collection of Lee Bouvier Radziwill auction held on October 17, 2019.

Provenance: From the estate of Benjamin A. Smith II, Harvard roommate and lifelong friend of President John F. Kennedy, former United States Senator from Massachusetts. Accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Benjamin A. Smith III documenting direct family ownership.

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

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Reference sku: 11691 1416408-1