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Archive of personal materials documenting actor Peter Lawford's close involvement with the Kennedy family through his wife, Patricia, including his Hollywood-inspired stylistic influence on brother-in-law, John F. Kennedy. Includes a handwritten manuscript by Lawford about family patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy, a letter to Lawford by Ted Kennedy, a letter to Lawford sending "shirting samples for President-elect John F. Kennedy," and invitations to events preceding JFK's inauguration.
- AMS in pencil by Peter Lawford, signed "P. L.," four pages, 8 x 12.5, no date but circa 1965. Handwritten draft essay about Joseph P. Kennedy, entitled "Once there was a Bear," drafted as a contribution to a book about him that Ted Kennedy was compiling. In part: "Ireland is known throughout the world for it's fabled Leprecons, luck and whiskey. It's animal kingdom is noted for fine thoroughbred horses and Dragons—but conspicuously absent from the history of this proud menagerie was the 'Ursa Major,' or commonly known as a 'Great Bear'…On Sept. 6, 1888 a small Bear was born in Boston. This was no ordinary or run of the mill Bear. He was destined to grow into one of the most successful, intelligent and prosperous men of his and our generations. When I first invaded his lair in P.B. to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage he looked at me with some disdain which I immediately took personally. As it turned out he was loathe to red socks which at the time I was prone to wearing. After the growing pains of son-in-lawism, which by the way was remarkably short, we reached a plateau which I would like to refer to, without presumption, of being 'fast friends.' Nothing could have delighted me more." Includes Lawford's retained carbon copy of his letter to Ted Kennedy transmitting the final essay.
- TLS by Ted Kennedy, signed "Ted," one page, 6 x 8, United States Senate letterhead, April 12, 1965. Letter to Peter Lawford, in full: "Many, Many thanks for your great essay about Dad. Your point of view was amusing and very much like you. Work on the book is progressing well and I hope to have it ready for publication by June. Your branch of the family is very well represented." Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed to Lawford in Santa Monica, California.
- TLS signed "Eugene Slattery," one page, 7.25 x 10.5, Charles Dillon, Importer-Shirtmaker-Haberdasher-Hosier letterhead, January 18, 1961. Letter to Peter Lawford, in part: "In accordance with your request, I am enclosing various shirting samples for President-elect John F. Kennedy. The prices are marked on each set and trust he will find some to his liking. I would be most pleased to make up any number of shirts he desires." Notably, Kennedy was wearing a shirt made by Charles Dillon at the time of his assassination.
- a 5.25 x 4.25 card from Washington, D.C. haberdasher Lewis & Thos. Saltz Co., dated January 19, 1961—the day before JFK's inauguration—welcoming Lawford as a new charge customer.
- a 5.5 x 4.5 invitation card to "Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lawford" for dinner at the Peking Restaurant in Washington, D.C., on January 14, 1961.
- a 5 x 7.25 invitation to the "New York Committee for Democratic Voters Victory Ball celebrating the election of President-elect John F. Kennedy," hosted by Eleanor Roosevelt and Hubert H. Lehman at the Plaza Hotel, New York, on January 11, 1961.
In overall fine condition, with small chips and tears to the bottom edge of the Lawford manuscript.
