Silver-finish Miraculous Medal (Medal of Our Lady of Graces) gifted to President-elect John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy upon the birth of their son John F. Kennedy, Jr., on November 25, 1960. Measuring .5 x .75, the front of the oval medallion depicts the Virgin Mary with outspread cloak encircled with Italian text: "Mary conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee"; and the reverse features the Marian cross and marked "Italy" below. In fine condition.
Accompanied by a photocopy of a letter of provenance from Mary Barelli Gallagher, the secretary to Senator John F. Kennedy and then later to First Lady Jackie Kennedy, 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…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.
