Kennedy on Auction

A FINE PEDIGREE

Though John F. Kennedy's lifelong friend and former assistant Dave Powers died in 1998, it wasn't until last year that his children discovered his treasure trove of artifacts and photos featuring the President. "The collection was astounding," says John McInnis Auctioneers appraiser Dan Meader, who cataloged many rare images like this circa-1935 photo. "Boxes, file cabinets, drawers of stuff – they had no idea."

Kennedy on Auction1 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

PAJAMA BREAKFAST

A dapper JFK (right) poses in Palm Beach, Fla., with eldest brother Joe Jr., who was killed during World War II.

Kennedy on Auction2 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

CANDID CAMERA

This 1954 photo of Ethel Kennedy, Jackie and Jack posing in the mirror was found at the bottom of a metal box full of tickets and books. "People still connect to the Kennedys," says Jackie Style author Pamela Keogh. "It was a hopeful time."

Kennedy on Auction3 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

CAMELOT'S COURTIER

Presidential aide Powers poses with JFK in 1955 in Palm Beach and with John Jr. in 1970. "He would die on his sword for the Kennedys," says Laurence Leamer, author of The Kennedy Men. "He was there because of his loyalty." The note from Jackie thanks Powers for his friendship.

Kennedy on Auction4 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

WRITING HISTORY

The auction includes the pen JFK used to sign the Oct. 23, 1962, "Interdiction of the Delivery of Offensive Weapons to Cuba," which heightened the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Kennedy on Auction5 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

On the President's 46th birthday (May 29, 1963), he and Jackie opened up a gag gift of "certified genuine antique grass from the Old Rose Garden Lawn," a friendly jab at Jackie's extensive White House renovations.

Kennedy on Auction6 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

LAST HALLOWEEN

Caroline (left) and John Jr. (right) visited their dad in costume on Oct. 31, 1963. After his death three weeks later, Jackie invited Powers over for daily lunch at their Georgetown home. "He would talk to John about his father," says biographer Keogh, "and talk about the Irish heritage they shared."

Kennedy on Auction7 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

TRAGIC ENDING

Powers took this photo of Jack and Jackie in the Dallas motorcade on Nov. 22, 1963. He was in the car directly behind the President's that day.

Kennedy on Auction8 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers
Kennedy on Auction

FINAL HOURS

These are Powers's annotated notes of the President's schedule for Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas. Afterward, Jackie's Secret Service agent Clint Hill recalls, "He helped lift the President out of the car and put him on a gurney." The loss of his friend, Hill says, left Powers "shattered."

Kennedy on Auction9 of 10 - Credit: David F. Powers Estate/John Mcinnis Auctioneers