![KENNEDY ONASSIS, Jacqueline Bouvier (1929-1994). Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Rosamond Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 9 April 1943] with a separate pencil drawing of a horse enclosed; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 26 April 1943]; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Newport, Rhode Island, 29 June 1943]; Autograph note signed ("Jackie), to Lee, n.p., n.d.; 4 later autograph letters, notes, and cards signed (“Jackie”), also to Lee, c.1989. [With:] four unpublished photographs, c.early 1940s of young Jacqueline Kennedy and Lee.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0202_001(kennedy_onassis_jacqueline_bouvier_autograph_letter_signed_to_rosamond014054).jpg?w=1)
![KENNEDY ONASSIS, Jacqueline Bouvier (1929-1994). Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Rosamond Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 9 April 1943] with a separate pencil drawing of a horse enclosed; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 26 April 1943]; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Newport, Rhode Island, 29 June 1943]; Autograph note signed ("Jackie), to Lee, n.p., n.d.; 4 later autograph letters, notes, and cards signed (“Jackie”), also to Lee, c.1989. [With:] four unpublished photographs, c.early 1940s of young Jacqueline Kennedy and Lee.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0202_002(kennedy_onassis_jacqueline_bouvier_autograph_letter_signed_to_rosamond014103).jpg?w=1)
![KENNEDY ONASSIS, Jacqueline Bouvier (1929-1994). Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Rosamond Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 9 April 1943] with a separate pencil drawing of a horse enclosed; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 26 April 1943]; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Newport, Rhode Island, 29 June 1943]; Autograph note signed ("Jackie), to Lee, n.p., n.d.; 4 later autograph letters, notes, and cards signed (“Jackie”), also to Lee, c.1989. [With:] four unpublished photographs, c.early 1940s of young Jacqueline Kennedy and Lee.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0202_000(kennedy_onassis_jacqueline_bouvier_autograph_letter_signed_to_rosamond100916).jpg?w=1)
Details
KENNEDY ONASSIS, Jacqueline Bouvier (1929-1994). Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Rosamond Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 9 April 1943] with a separate pencil drawing of a horse enclosed; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., 26 April 1943]; Autograph letter signed (“Jackie”) to Lee, [transmittal envelope postmarked Newport, Rhode Island, 29 June 1943]; Autograph note signed ("Jackie), to Lee, n.p., n.d.; 4 later autograph letters, notes, and cards signed (“Jackie”), also to Lee, c.1989. [With:] four unpublished photographs, c.early 1940s of young Jacqueline Kennedy and Lee.
Together 17 pages, 132 x 95mm to 175 x 147mm, various stationery, 3 original transmittal envelopes, (occasional ink blotches or transfer); small pencil drawing of a horse (70 x 80mm) and 4 black and white photographs.
A very early, illustrated correspondence from a young Jacqueline Bouvier. Written by 13-year old Jackie to Rosamond Lee, a close childhood friend whom she affectionately addresses as "Rosie," "Darling Rosie," and "Rosie lovely thing." Often illustrated with charming drawings (one shows the horse Lee will ride when she visits, another shows Kennedy’s latest hairstyle) and written in an endearingly unfiltered stream-of-consciousness style brimming with youthful excitement (punctuation is either abandoned altogether or simple dashes are used between thoughts). Kennedy shares details of her life, tries to play matchmaker, makes plans for their future, and begs her friend to visit – though alongside the energy is a passing mention of loneliness, observed by Kennedy herself in a much later, retrospective letter.
The first letter, postmarked 9 April 1943, discusses a potential visit and closes, “I miss you terribly. I am still I mean you are still my best friend and I hope I am yours. Write me soon and every other day.” The next letter proposes plans for the future: “I have a wonderful plan. Are you going to boarding school. I don’t know if I am but Mummy might send me. We have to solemnly swear that we don’t go to different schools. We can room together and be reunited after long years of loneliness. [...] You will be the godmother of all of my children and you can be the godmother of my dog’s children too, because she is having puppie[s] soon [with ink drawing of Rosie’s wedding and her child’s baptism, with Kennedy featured prominently].” A letter dated June the same year is aimed at more short-term goals: “Darling Rosie – write me the minute you get this and tell me your telephone number – then I will ask Mummy when I have you and you ask if you can come – It will be heaven – beautiful scrumptious xxx – you better say yes – we will have so much fun – we can go swimming and play tennis... [...] Yusha [Hugh Auchincloss] is here and he is very nice and you would just love him – Anyway you might marry Yusha – and then you would live near us and I would see you all the time and I would just love that...” It appears the women fell out of touch for some time, until the death of Kennedy's mother when they reconnect, and Lee returns the letters to Kennedy. Her reply is telling: “These letters you sent really affected me – what extraordinary friends we were – and yes how lonely I was missing you – with all the jokes and bravado. You never took my great suggestion of Yusha – he is still there! Or would that be incestuous? How I loved seeing you this summer – and hope we do this winter too – a million thanks for the letters – it’s eerie to be able to replay your life. xxx Jackie.” [With:] later printings of the photographs above and later negatives.
Together 17 pages, 132 x 95mm to 175 x 147mm, various stationery, 3 original transmittal envelopes, (occasional ink blotches or transfer); small pencil drawing of a horse (70 x 80mm) and 4 black and white photographs.
A very early, illustrated correspondence from a young Jacqueline Bouvier. Written by 13-year old Jackie to Rosamond Lee, a close childhood friend whom she affectionately addresses as "Rosie," "Darling Rosie," and "Rosie lovely thing." Often illustrated with charming drawings (one shows the horse Lee will ride when she visits, another shows Kennedy’s latest hairstyle) and written in an endearingly unfiltered stream-of-consciousness style brimming with youthful excitement (punctuation is either abandoned altogether or simple dashes are used between thoughts). Kennedy shares details of her life, tries to play matchmaker, makes plans for their future, and begs her friend to visit – though alongside the energy is a passing mention of loneliness, observed by Kennedy herself in a much later, retrospective letter.
The first letter, postmarked 9 April 1943, discusses a potential visit and closes, “I miss you terribly. I am still I mean you are still my best friend and I hope I am yours. Write me soon and every other day.” The next letter proposes plans for the future: “I have a wonderful plan. Are you going to boarding school. I don’t know if I am but Mummy might send me. We have to solemnly swear that we don’t go to different schools. We can room together and be reunited after long years of loneliness. [...] You will be the godmother of all of my children and you can be the godmother of my dog’s children too, because she is having puppie[s] soon [with ink drawing of Rosie’s wedding and her child’s baptism, with Kennedy featured prominently].” A letter dated June the same year is aimed at more short-term goals: “Darling Rosie – write me the minute you get this and tell me your telephone number – then I will ask Mummy when I have you and you ask if you can come – It will be heaven – beautiful scrumptious xxx – you better say yes – we will have so much fun – we can go swimming and play tennis... [...] Yusha [Hugh Auchincloss] is here and he is very nice and you would just love him – Anyway you might marry Yusha – and then you would live near us and I would see you all the time and I would just love that...” It appears the women fell out of touch for some time, until the death of Kennedy's mother when they reconnect, and Lee returns the letters to Kennedy. Her reply is telling: “These letters you sent really affected me – what extraordinary friends we were – and yes how lonely I was missing you – with all the jokes and bravado. You never took my great suggestion of Yusha – he is still there! Or would that be incestuous? How I loved seeing you this summer – and hope we do this winter too – a million thanks for the letters – it’s eerie to be able to replay your life. xxx Jackie.” [With:] later printings of the photographs above and later negatives.