Rare official White House Christmas card from 1963, measuring 4.5 x 6.5 closed, picturing a color image of the Creche in the East Room on the front. Card opens to a size of 9 x 6.5, with an embossed seal at the top and a pre-printed sentiment that reads, “With our wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year,” and signed below the sentiment in black ink by John Kennedy and in blue ink by Jacqueline Kennedy. In fine, clean condition. Two variations of these cards were ordered, some with “Blessed Christmas” omitted, and many with facsimile signatures. Kennedy returned to Washington on the evening of November 18 from a trip to Florida. Sometime between his return and the evening of the 20th, both the president and first lady began to sign the cards at their leisure, but none were ever sent. These dual-signed cards were relatively unknown, even to the Kennedy Library, until the mid-1980s. RR Auction COA.
