Unique collection of five original candid photographs from the personal collection of the Kennedy family given to biographer Gene Schoor in 1961 by Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., while Schoor was preparing the book Young John Kennedy. The one-of-a-kind photos range in size from 2.5 x 2.5 to 3 x 4.75 and date to the early-to-mid 1930s during Kennedy’s high school years at Choate, all bearing typed captions affixed to the reverse.
The five photos show: a full-length image of JFK atop the roof of the Kennedy estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1935; a full-length image of JFK in his full academic regalia for his graduation from Choate in 1935; a playful image of Kennedy with his roommate Rip Horton as members of Choate’s drama club during a rehearsal; a photo of Kennedy with his father and sister ‘Kick’ on the deck of a ship (misidentified as a cousin on the label); and one of Kennedy with many of his friends at Choate, including Lem Billings and Bud Wynne.
The first three photos listed appear in Schoor’s book but the latter two do not; the image of JFK and Rip Horton was also published in LIFE Magazine’s JFK 100 Year Commemorative Edition celebrating his 100th birthday in May 2017. Also includes a typed memo on official White House letterhead, reading: “From: The personal diary of Pres. John F. Kennedy scrapbook & photo material given to Gene Schoor by [J.F.K. crossed out] Amb. Joe Kennedy at the White House, January 1961.” Accompanied by a first edition hardcover of Schoor’s book Young John Kennedy. In overall fine condition, with toned tape remnants to the top and bottom edges of one photo. An absolutely outstanding, one-of-a-kind collection of original material from Kennedy’s formative years.
