May 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, May 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2018
Very personal jacket belonging to President John F. Kennedy, one of his beloved leather G-1 bomber jackets that he would often wear when sailing, complete with his Presidential seal patch sewn over the left breast. Jacket comes from the estate of Lt. Henry Hirschy, White House Supply and Logistics Officer who was responsible for securing items JFK used aboard the Presidential yacht Honey Fitz, at Camp David and on overseas trips. Jacket is JFK's size 44, custom fit for the President, in dark brown leather, lightly worn from use and therefore likely worn by JFK onboard the Honey Fitz, where it was recovered. Hirschy bought this jacket for the President on 5 December 1962, nearly a year before JFK's death, and the original Naval invoice detailing the sale is included as provenance. Upon the invoice, Hirschy itemizes the total by hand, indicating that three flight jackets were bought for the President, of which this is one. Another flight jacket sold at McInnis Auction House in 2013 for over $629,000, possibly one of the other jackets listed on the invoice.
A slew of additional provenance accompanies the jacket, including: (1) letter dated 27 November 1963, five days after the assassination, partially written by Hirschy and detailing items recovered ''From Honey Fitz'', listing two ''Size 44 Flight Jacket'', one ''w/ Presidential seal'', matching this jacket. The letter goes on to instruct that the items be sent to Lieut. Hirschy at the ''Nav. Ad. Unit Office'' in Washington, DC; (2) LOA signed by Priscilla Hirschy, stating that the jacket ''comes directly from the family of Lieutenant Henry E. Hirschy, Jr. SC United States Navy''; (3) Official White House ID card for Lt. H. Hirschy; (4) The White House Staff Pass for H.E. Hirschy, issued ''5 Sept 63'' and with an expiry date of ''15 Nov 63''; (5) Henry E. Hirschy's U.S. Department of the Interior Official parking permit for The White House, dated ''12/1/1962''. The jacket also comes with an 8'' x 10'' color photo (age faded) of JFK sporting a similar jacket while onboard his yacht. The photo has an inscription on the verso stating ''President John F. Kennedy, on board the U.S.C.G. sloop Manitou, Sunday, 12 Aug 1962 - Near Johns Island, Maine''.
Label of jacket reads in full, ''Bureau of Aeronautics USN / Flight Jacket, Intermediate, G-1 / Specification No. MIL-J-7823 (AER) / L.W. Foster Sportswear Co., Inc. / Contract No. DA-36-243-QM (CTM) 2134 / Size 44''. Additionally, near the zipper is stenciled ''USN'' (United States Navy). Jacket shows light wear, namely rubbing of leather next to zipper, at cuffs and at elbows, consistent with wear. Overall in very good condition. One of the more personal and beloved items belonging to President Kennedy.
John F. Kennedy's Personally Owned Leather Bomber Jacket -- Recovered From the ''Honey Fitz'' Yacht After His Death
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