Lovely five-decade rosary crafted from carved ebonized wooden beads on a silver-tone chain, with a medallion and crucifix both marked "Sterling," gifted to John and Jacqueline Kennedy upon the birth of their son John F. Kennedy, Jr. In fine condition. Accompanied by a box marked "Woodward & Lothrop, Washington."
Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Mary Barelli Gallagher, in part: "This baby gift is one of the many gifts that had arrived daily to the home of President-Elect and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, 3307 N St., N.W., Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on the occasion of John Jr.'s birth, November 25, 1960. Mrs. Kennedy would ask that I prepare a letter of thanks to the sender for her to sign, and this is one of the gifts that she offered me to take home. I donated the vast majority of these gifts to various charities, others I gave away to friends, relatives, etc., keeping the more interesting ones, such as this, for myself." Provenance: Collection of Mary Barelli Gallagher, Bonhams, 2017. Barelli was secretary to Senator John F. Kennedy from 1953-1956, and personal secretary to Jackie Kennedy from 1956-1964.
