Estate of Robert McNamara

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Lot 53
  • 53

Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy

Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 USD
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Description

  • paper, pen
Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”), 2 pages (8 x 5 3/8 in.; 203 x 137 mm) on 2 leaves of blue 1040 Fifth Avenue stationery, [New York], 6 March [1967], to Robert McNamara (“Dearest Bob”).

Catalogue Note

In a letter commenting on the de-escalation of the War in Vietnam, the former First Lady writes to the former Secretary of Defense, crediting him “for stopping the war.”

Mrs. Kennedy begins the letter by apologizing that she had not returned a phone call from McNamara because a new member of her household staff had not recognized his name. She continues: “I just read the N.Y. Times—about de-escalating

“You used to read me the Master Builder. You are the Master Builder—for stopping the war—and when it is over the whole world will be saying that—even though they all know it now. … It doesn’t matter if false history is written—no one can ever erase from the hearts & minds of everyone who lives in these times—what all the future will always owe to you—dear dear Bob.” While Mrs. Kennedy clearly meant her literary allusion to be complimentary, the title character of Ibsen’s play is not an entirely sympathetic figure.