Press Release

Amesbury, MA, USA, February 5, 2024 -- Over 100 rare and historically significant lots pertaining to the Kennedys – mostly JFK, but also to include RFK, Jackie and Ted Kennedy, with some of the items coming from the estate of longtime Kennedy assistant Helen Mary Keyes – will headline a Fine Antiques & Estates Collection auction planned for Sunday, February 25th, by John McInnis Auctioneers.

The 469-lot auction, starting promptly at 12 o’clock noon Eastern time, will be held live in the John McInnis Auctioneers gallery located at 76 Main Street in Amesbury, as well as online, via LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

The auction will be conducted in two sessions. Session 1, starting at noon, will feature lots 1-265. Session 2, later on in the day, will begin with lot 301 – the Kennedy lots – and conclude with lot 469. The extensive catalog will feature Americana, historical items, baseball, porcelain, fine art, furnishings, weathervanes, eagle collections and, of course, the Kennedy lots (301-417).

Helen Mary Keyes had long and storied ties to the Kennedy family. Her father was the dentist to Joe and Rose Kennedy’s children and the families’ children became friends. Helen played a major role in JFK’s 1952 Senate campaign, hosting famous ‘Ladies’ Teas’ for the rising star of the Democratic Party. Her involvement continued in the 1960 presidential campaign of 1960.

Numerous lots in the auction are letters from JFK and RFK to Ms. Keyes, either typewritten or handwritten, but always hand-signed by the Kennedys and often with humorous inscribed asides, showing their warm, compassionate side. For example, lot 312 is a 1952 handwritten letter from JFK, thanking Ms. Keyes for her help in the U.S. Senate campaign, with the inscription, "This expresses inadequately my thanks for all that you did. As I heard Ohara said at the Clover Club dinner Mr. Lodge was drowned in five hundred gallons of tea you had poured." He was referring to the many Ladies’ Teas that helped carry Kennedy to victory (est. $2,000-$4,000).

Lot 313 is a two-page letter written by Robert F. Kennedy in 1952 on Hyannis Port stationery, thanking Ms. Keyes and Polly Fitzgerald for making the Ladies’ Teas a success and aiding in JFK’s Senate campaign, signed “Bobby” (est. $500-$1,000). Lot 307 is a rare 1952 silk scarf promoting JFK’s U.S. Senate bid, 30 inches by 33 inches with images of JFK (est. $500-$1,000).

Lot 300 is a fine quality Royal Worcester tea and dinner service from the Fitzgerald family, used in the hosting of Campaign Teas during JFK’s runs for political office. Polly Fitzgerald was instrumental in the success of the teas (est. $2,000-$4,000). Lot 419 is an original JFK autograph for “Skip + Billy” dated October 15, 1958, from Kennedy’s visit to Transitron Electronic Corp. in Wakefield, Mass., along with the very pen JFK used (est. $400-$800).

Lot 503 is a group of four photographs, three of Jackie Kennedy and daughter Caroline and one of Jackie and her sister Lee holding Lee’s son Anthony, all from 1961, taken by Jacque Lowe, signed and framed. Lot 504 is also a group of four photographs by Lowe, all showing Jackie and Caroline, taken in 1961 in Hyannisport, Mass. Both lots should bring $400-$800.

For hotel accommodations, John McInnis Auctioneers recommends the Hampton Inn, at 284 Elm Street in Amesbury (phone: 978-834-5080) or the Fairfield Inn, at 35 Clarks Road, Amesbury (phone: 978-388-3400). John McInnis Auctioneers holds Massachusetts auction license #770. To learn more about John McInnis Auctioneers and the auctions planned for February 22, 24 & 25, visit www.mcinnisauctions.com.

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