Kennedy, John F.--Lowe, Jacques

4to, first edition, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY JOHN F. KENNEDY TO DEBORAH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE ("For Debo - | with happy thoughts |  John Kennedy | L.O.") on the front free endpaper, additional inscription for the Duchess from Dave Powers, Special Assistant to Kennedy, on rear endpaper, illustrations, original cloth, pictorial dust jacket, with the Duchess's bookplate, binding bumped at corners, jacket chipped and torn with some loss at extremities

Condition is described in the body of cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire's brother-in-law, Billy, was married to Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy, sister of John F. Kennedy. Through her, the Duchess formed a close friendship with the President, attending his inauguration in January 1961, and later his funeral alongside Prince Philip, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Harold Wilson.

The Duchess and Kennedy had first met in 1938, when his family were visiting London. Writing of the occasion, the Duchess recalled, "he already had something about him that separated him from the crowd. He was very thin, the legacy of serious illnesses, but he put everything into the moment, which in 1938 was to enjoy himself...My mother, watching him at a dance, said, 'I wouldn’t be surprised if that young man became president of the United States.'"

The letters "L.O." which follow Kennedy's signature are thought to stand for "Loved One", a nickname for Kennedy used by the Mitford sisters.