ALS signed “J,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 6.25 x 8, Las Duenas letterhead, no date. Letter to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, dated “4/17/66,” at the top of the first page in McNamara’s hand. Letter written from Seville, Spain reads, in part: “The most wonderful & kind & noble man I stayed with—Miguel Angel Cazano—said that you were the only great man in North America now!…I arrived in Madrid—& had breakfast at 1 a.m. my time—It is now 3 a.m. heaven knows who’s time—after the most disastrous & paparazzi infested ball which I did not want to go to to begin with—they are all watching flamenco & the Fera seems to me to need more training & fitness than you & Bobby ever need for your mountain climbs. Angie told me—in deepest secrecy which he swore me to—about the official letter you sent about my going to Seville with them on the plane—I thank you for that…I think of you & hope that you take care of yourself & that things are not too awful.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Kennedy’s hand, marked “Personal” on the front, and bearing her signature, “Mrs. Kennedy,” on the reverse as part of the return address. Both Jackie and her late husband held McNamara in extremely high esteem, with the former president regarding him as the ‘star of his team’ he was one of the few members of the administration to socialize with the Kennedys outside of work. Provenance: The Robert S. McNamara Collection, Sotheby’s 2012. RR Auction COA.
