ALS as first lady, signed “J.,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, White House letterhead, no date (circa August 1963). Letter to presidential secretary Evelyn Lincoln, in full: "The President says he has accepted an Irish wolfhound puppy from a priest in Ireland & told Amb. McCloskey to send it over. Also he said that Ireland was sending the children 2 Irish deer & a donkey & maybe a pony—(there was some confusion about that & I don't want to seem as if we are asking for one—because we aren't). Anyway—could you find out for me this week—exactly what dates we should expect the dog—deer etc—As the children are so excited—& living in constant expectation every weekend that all these animals will appear. It would help if I had a definite date to give them. If the deer come when I am in the hospital—I want them to go on the W.H. lawn—so will you speak to Mr. West about that—& he can see that the dogs don't chase them—& find out about their care from the zoo. The donkey etc can go to our place in Virginia." Matted and framed to an overall size of 9.25 x 12.25, with a window in the backing for viewing the reverse. Includes a handwritten response from Lincoln on an off-white sheet of 6 x 7 personal stationery, which reads: "The puppy will arrive at Hyannis tonight at 7:15. Bryant will be there." The Lincoln is similarly matted and framed to an overall size of 10.25 x 11.15. In overall fine condition. Provenance: Guernsey's, The John F. Kennedy Auction, March 1998.
An Irish wolfhound, appropriately named Wolf, joined the Kennedy clan in the White House in August 1963. Wolf, sometimes referred to as Wolfie by the family, was given to the Kennedys as a gift from a priest in Dublin, Ireland, named Father Thomas Kennedy. The Kennedys were incredibly fond of pets and owned several dogs: a German shepherd named Clipper, a cocker spaniel named Shannon, a mixed-breed named Pushinka, a Welsh terrier named Charlie, and four puppies who were the offspring of Pushinka and Charlie. The family had so many dogs, in fact, that they built a special area outside the West Wing for the children to safely play with all the animals. Upon his White House arrival, Wolf had trouble adjusting to his canine companions, with Press Secretary Pierre Salinger noting that he 'is very fond of children and humans, but he does not like other dogs.' Wolf’s difficulty with the other dogs ultimately forced the Kennedys to place him with another family. Wolf was not the first Irish wolfhound to call the White House home; Herbert Hoover’s Irish wolfhound, Patrick, has that honor.
JFK was the first Irish-Catholic to become President of the U.S. His trip to Ireland, as an Irish-Catholic US president, was a huge event in Ireland. A momentous, monumental celebration. Thus, Jackie Kennedy's letter documents what occurred during this historic occasion, and shows what great lengths the Irish leaders went to, to please the president and his family. This is a rare glimpse at the generosity and admiration of the Irish government towards John F. Kennedy and his entire family.
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