President John F. Kennedy’s Personal Back Brace.
Provenance: Notarized letter from Dr. Watt's son, Attorney Frederick Q Watt.
Extremely rare and possibly the only known JFK back brace with outstanding provenance. Exact photo match in the April 2017 Vanity Fair JFK Special Commemorative Edition, page 31.
An incredible artifact used by President Kennedy.
President John F. Kennedy's personal back brace gifted by Rose Kennedy to their personal family physician Dr. Robert D. Watt, who was the Kennedy family physician for over 25 years on Cape Cod from 1958 until his retirement in the late 1980's. Subsequent to Kennedy's death, Rose Kennedy gave this brace to Dr. Watt stating it was the President's, and that Dr. Watt should feel free to use the brace for his other patients in the hopes that it might ease another's suffering. However this elaborate brace was sized and manufactured specifically for President Kennedy. This brace was inherited by Dr. Watt's son, Frederick upon his passing in 1996.
Brace is in excellent condition, although there is light soiling and wear verifying use by the president. President Kennedy’s back problems were legendary and a cause of pain just about every day of his life according to those who knew him best.
From The Paloger Collection of John F. Kennedy Memorabilia, Historic Photographs & Original Negatives.
