220 John F. Kennedy’s
Wooden Cigar Box
ESTIMATE: $1,500-$2,000 President Kennedy’s personally-owned and -used wooden cigar box, measuring 8 x 4.5 x 2.5, featuring a colorful presidential seal emblem inlaid in the top and an engraved plaque on the front, reading: “John F. Kennedy, My Cigars, 1962.” The high quality box is constructed with dovetail-style joints and lined in cedar. Two Flor Extra Fina cigars remain inside. Includes a letter of provenance on a White House card from Toi Bachelder, a White House secretary. In part: “The wooden box…was owned & used by John F. Kennedy and is so indicated by a silver plaque…This box came from the President’s upstairs White House quarters and came to me in late November 1963 via JFK’s close aide Ted Sorenson, whom I served as a secretary.” An impressive JFK relic perfect for display.
Monogrammed golf ball from the White House, used by President Kennedy on the South Lawn 221 John F. Kennedy’s
Golf Ball
ESTIMATE: $2,000-$4,000 President Kennedy’s personallyowned and -used personalized presidential golf ball, embossed in black type on opposing sides, “Mr. President” and “John F. Kennedy,” with the number “3” in red below. Another side is embossed in red, “Steel Center.” The ball exhibits general marks and discoloration with signs of use. Accompanied by a white golf tee embossed in black down the side, “President John F. Kennedy.” Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from the wife of Melvon O. Carter, who had worked on the White House maintenance crew from the time of Presidents Hoover through Nixon. In part: “My husband, Melvon O. Carter…had worked for The White House from the time of President Herbert Hoover until President Richard Nixon…from time to time he would pick up the personal golf balls of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy on the South Lawn…The president used to practice his shots on the White House South Lawn. M. O. Carter picked up the golf ball after President Kennedy hit it while practicing his game.” Kennedy was a capable golfer, having played on Harvard University’s golf team—he was said to have once had a single-digit handicap, and is widely considered the best golfer to have served in the Oval Office. A wonderful, personally-used item from one of the president’s favorite pastimes.
138 | September 17, 2014 | Boston, Massachusetts | Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection