$89,600
A Boston-style rocking chair owned by President John F. Kennedy and gifted to his valet, George Thomas, by Jacqueline Kennedy after the President’s assassination. Tropical hardwood, cane seat and back, made by M. Hayat & Bros. Peshawar, Pakistan, circa 1961. Upholstered arm rests and seat cushion were made by White House upholsterer Larry Arata. The iconic symbol of John F. Kennedy’s years as president was his rocking chair, prescribed by his physician Dr. Janet Travell to alleviate the constant back pain from his war injuries. Approximately a dozen are documented to the White House and various retreats used by the President. This example is the only one found in his private bedroom and was gifted by Jacqueline Kennedy to his longtime valet George Thomas after the President’s death. Jackie Kennedy treasured these rocking chairs enough that she kept two for herself which were sold at her estate sale in 1996. Unlike the other rockers this chair was not made by the P&P co. of North Carolina. It was made by Hayat & Bros. of Peshawar Pakistan. The president of Pakistan Ayub Khan had given Mrs. Kennedy a horse on the occasion of his state visit. This present caused much ado because personal gifts were not supposed to be so lavish and Mrs. Kennedy refused to give it up. The use of this rocker in the President’s private bedroom was no doubt to prevent any further uproar over such gifts. A reproduction photograph of the late President’s White House bedroom showing the chair accompan
Auctioneer:
Juliens Auctions
Date:
2012-03-31
