May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
296
John F. Kennedy White House used coffee table
[KENNEDY, JOHN F.]
Coffee table used in Kennedy White House. A rectangular mahogany coffee table by Drexel (with their stencil markings), with a central drawer and fluted legs, about 59 inches (L) x 17 1/2 inches (H) x 20 inches (D). Scratches to surface and other wear from use.
Provenance: Marty Underwood, Special Assistant to President Kennedy, acquired 1964; to collector Robert L. White, acquired 1992 (accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance); sold Guernsey's John F. Kennedy: The Robert L. White Collection, 15-17 December 2005, lot 606; to Camrose & Kross and successor company Clarion-Pell, LLC, Boonton, New Jersey; by donation from Clarion-Pell to the Kinnelon Public Library, Kinnelon, New Jersey.
A stylish coffee table used in the Oval Office during the first months of the Camelot years. According to the copy of Marty Underwood's letter, the table was used in the Oval Office in the sitting area in 1961 before being moved to Kennedy's "presidential relaxation room" where it was used until the offices were cleared following the assassination. After residing in Underwood's office a while, he was allowed to keep it. Underwood also mentions in the letter that he related to White "some other interesting little stories about this table which I did not really want to include in this letter." These stories are likely lost to history but it is fun to imagine the cocktails, cigars and casual conversations that likely occurred in Kennedy's private chamber.
Sold for $6,400
Estimated at $3,000 - $5,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
[KENNEDY, JOHN F.]
Coffee table used in Kennedy White House. A rectangular mahogany coffee table by Drexel (with their stencil markings), with a central drawer and fluted legs, about 59 inches (L) x 17 1/2 inches (H) x 20 inches (D). Scratches to surface and other wear from use.
Provenance: Marty Underwood, Special Assistant to President Kennedy, acquired 1964; to collector Robert L. White, acquired 1992 (accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance); sold Guernsey's John F. Kennedy: The Robert L. White Collection, 15-17 December 2005, lot 606; to Camrose & Kross and successor company Clarion-Pell, LLC, Boonton, New Jersey; by donation from Clarion-Pell to the Kinnelon Public Library, Kinnelon, New Jersey.
A stylish coffee table used in the Oval Office during the first months of the Camelot years. According to the copy of Marty Underwood's letter, the table was used in the Oval Office in the sitting area in 1961 before being moved to Kennedy's "presidential relaxation room" where it was used until the offices were cleared following the assassination. After residing in Underwood's office a while, he was allowed to keep it. Underwood also mentions in the letter that he related to White "some other interesting little stories about this table which I did not really want to include in this letter." These stories are likely lost to history but it is fun to imagine the cocktails, cigars and casual conversations that likely occurred in Kennedy's private chamber.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
