Three notarized Bargain and Sale deeds, individually signed “John F. Kennedy,” “Robert F. Kennedy,” and “Joseph M. Kennedy,” respectively, all one page both sides, measuring 8.5 x 28 unfolded, two dated December 4, 1952, and one dated January 12, 1953. These documents transfer a parcel of land in the Bronx to the Archbishop of New York. The documents, mostly identical in their phrasing, read, in part: “I, John F. Kennedy, residing at 122 Bowdoin Street, Boston, Massachusetts, party of the first part, and The Archbishop of New York, a New York Corporation…party of the second part, Witnesseth, that the party of the first part, in consideration of Ten ($10.00) dollars lawful money of the United States, and other valuable consideration, paid by the party of the second part, does hereby grant and release unto the party of the second part, its successors, and assigns forever all that certain piece or parcel of land, lying and being in the Borough of the Bronx, City and State of New York.” The parcel in question bordered Waring Avenue and Bronxwood Avenue. A receipt from the Queens County Clerk is stapled to each deed as well. In fine condition, with horizontal storage folds, expected stamps and notations, and some scattered light toning and soiling.
On January 4, 1953, John F. Kennedy was sworn into office as a Massachusetts senator. As a youth, he had grown up in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and maintained a residence there although his permanent address remained in his home state. After his election to the Senate, he sold his property at the corner of Waring and Bronxwood Avenues and signed a lease for his Georgetown House on January 14, the apartment where he later proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier. The couple were married in Newport, Rhode Island on September 12 that same year and returned to Washington to live. In these three notarized documents signed by JFK, his brother Robert, and his father Joseph, the Kennedys transfered property to the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Spellman, who founded many Catholic private schools in New York and Boston. An incredible trio of matching documents with excellent interconnected association. RRAuction COA.
