Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy

12 autograph letters and notes signed ("Jackie") and one typed note signed ("Jackie"), totalling 17 pages on 13 various notecards and stationery (including White House cards and stationery), [Washington and New York, 1962–1988, to Robert McNamara, 4 of the notes accompanied by their original autograph envelopes, 2 of these signed ("Mrs. Kennedy"; "Jacqueline Kennedy") — accompanied by a small group of other correspondence and memorandum to or by McNamara, including letters and notes by Lee Radziwill and Ben Bradlee; 2 autograph envelopes written by Mrs. Kennedy; and the typed reading notes for "Time Magazine's 75th Anniversary Celebration Toast by John F. Kennedy to Robert S. McNamara 3/3/98."

These brief letters and notes reveal the easy and genuine friendship shared by Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert McNamara during the White House years and afterwards. The earliest note here, docketed by McNamara "2/15/62" shows a spirit of conspiratorial fun: "If Senator Thurmond ever asks for these pictures do you think Executive Privilege should be invoked? Until the PT-109 sails again, Jackie." Notes from 1963 and 1964 thank McNamara for sending Valentines; the handmade card McNamara sent in 1963 she calls "The most marvelous Valentine I ever had!"

The later notes, from the 1970s, show that the former First Lady continued to follow McNamara's career, as she regularly sent him brief comments on his various speaking engagements and publications (she also sent him a selection of poetry books). Two of the letters mention McNamara's work on overpopulation; on 16 July 1984 she wrote: "'The Population Problem' is so frightening—Only you seem to be able to call the necessary attention to it. … I was riveted by your articles—and proud of you—Don't you dare stop sending me your articles—ever."