THE BURDEN AND THE GLORY, ONE OF ONLY 100 SPECIALLY BOUND COPIES, INSCRIBED BY JACQUELINE KENNEDY TO A LONGTIME FAMILY FRIEND AND CONSULTANT

KENNEDY, John F. The Burden and the Glory. New York, Evanston and London: Harper & Row, 1964. Octavo, original full navy calf gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt; original marbled slipcase. $6500.

First edition of this collection of President Kennedy's speeches and statements, one of only 100 copies handsomely bound in full morocco gilt-tooled with the presidential seal, inscribed on a tipped-in leaf to the Kennedy clan's interior designer, advisor, and confidante: "For Robert Luddington with deep appreciation and all my good wishes, Jacqueline Kennedy, Christmas 1965."

"When Jacqueline Kennedy was pregnant, a man named Robert Luddington was tasked with furnishing a special room for her at Hyannis Port, the Kennedys' famous Cape Cod compound. Luddington, a humble and modest man who is now 92 years old [as of May 28, 2017], worked with the entire Kennedy clan for 60 years, serving as an interior designer on multiple homes for the family's matriarch, Rose Kennedy, and, later, for her children and grandchildren. Stretching through the decades of his service as an advisor and confidante to the family, he is known by all members of the Kennedy clan simply as 'Mr. Luddington'… Luddington started working on President Kennedy's home on the Cape when it was purchased, furnishing the house in a 'traditional way' with early American pieces under guidance from Jacqueline Kennedy. He typically corresponded through the first lady, though the president did sometimes speak to him in person about something related to the home. In addition to his work at the Cape house, Luddington also helped supply some furniture for the White House residence" (Boston.com).

Published mere months after Kennedy was assassinated, this volume explores the priorities of his second and third year in office through a selection of his public statements and speeches, including his second and third State of the Union addresses, his famous "Ich Ben Ein Berliner" speech, remarks on the Cuban Missile Crisis, comments on race relations and an undelivered speech for his trip to Dallas. Edited by Allan Nevins. Foreword by President Lyndon Johnson. This copy, boasting a deluxe calf binding with gilt presidential seal in matching slipcase, is one of only 100 given to those who attended a fundraising dinner for the Kennedy Library in honor of Jacqueline Kennedy, who was making her first public appearance since her husband's death. Mrs. Kennedy signed copies for those who requested she do so, although few of the copies are inscribed to a specific named individual as this copy is.

Fine condition. Scarce and desirable inscribed to a longtime family consultant and friend.