Invitation to the Funeral of John F. Kennedy and Related Material Including a Brief Handwritten Sentiment By Robert F. Kennedy

1963. Unbound. Near Fine. Seven items related to the funeral of President John F. Kennedy, held three days after his assassination. Each of the seven items belonged to the girlhood-and-lifelong friend of Jackie Kennedy, Countess Vivi Crespi, an American woman who had married an Italian Count. By all accounts Crespi was a glamorous and constant presence at the Kennedy's White House dinners and events at Hyannisport, as well as Newport, where Crespi entertained the Kennedys. She remained a lifelong friend to Jackie, as is testified to here by her entrance pass to the funeral, which states she was to sit "Center Right Forward. Family".

The seven items include:

1. Original invitation for the funeral of President John F. Kennedy. Black border, embossed in blind with the Presidential Seal. One horizontal fold for insertion into envelope, else fine. Reportedly only 1000 were printed, but we assume the print run ran over. Most of the copies that appear in the market were never folded and that presumably were never actually issued to any individual for the funeral.

2. Original black bordered envelope hand-addressed to "Countess Vivi Crespi." A bit of rubbing at the edges, near fine.

3. Entrance ticket printed on thin pink cardstock stating: "Present at Entrance. St. Matthew's Cathedral. Center Right Forward. Family" The word "Family" has been typed on the card. Fine.

4. Mass or prayer card with black border, Kennedy's image in grayscale on the front, and a prayer on the verso. Measuring 3½" x 4½". Fine. This was issued at the funeral.

5. Engraved thank you card with black border signed in print by Robert and Ethel Kennedy. Fine. Additionally Inscribed by Robert F. Kennedy in a tiny hand: "Dear Vivi, My thanks to you. Bobby."

6. Mass or prayer card with black border, Kennedy's image on the front, and a prayer on the verso. Measuring 2½" x 4". Fine. Printer's production information in type indicating it was printed in Philadelphia. We assume this was not issued at the funeral, but came with the lot, and thus remains here.

7. Contemporary single-weight black and white gelatin silver photograph of J.F.K. Tiny crease in one corner margin not affecting image and slight soiling on the verso else near fine. No photographer or other production markings. Again, we assume this was not issued at the funeral, but came with the lot, and thus remains here.

A somber and arresting group of material from the funeral of President John F. Kennedy, belonging to a close family friend.