Boxer Shorts Owned by JFK Part of Auction

Boxer shorts and pajamas belonging to President Kennedy as well as a swimsuit and lipsticks belonging to his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, will be auctioned Saturday.

The auction, at Dawson’s Auctioneers & Appraisers in Morris Plains, will include more than 300 items ranging from the whimsical -- World War II Navy-issue boxer shorts, with the sewn label, “Jack Kennedy” -- to the historic, a personal presidential campaign notebook.

The items were put up for sale by Mary Gallagher, Jacqueline Kennedy’s personal secretary from 1957 to 1964, and Providencia Paredes, her personal attendant from 1959 to 1965.

“The excitement for this collection is unbelievable,” said Paula Hantman of Hantman’s Auctioneers and Appraisers, which will conduct the auction.

Interest was high, she said, because after previous auctions by the Kennedy family and President Kennedy’s secretary Evelyn Lincoln, few more such Kennedy auctions are expected.

Bidding for Kennedy’s personal campaign notebook, which has 22 pages of lists, speech ideas and campaign notes, will start at $7,500 and is expected to fetch from $15,000 to $20,000.

The auction also includes clothing items belonging to the former first lady, known for her elegant fashion sense, including shoes, suits, nightgowns, a swimsuit, and dresses.

Some of her personal notes and lipsticks will also be on the auction block.

Buyers can pack the Kennedy-wear in a briefcase given to then-Sen. Kennedy as a wedding gift, which is being put up for auction by the Museum of American Financial History.

A Japanese Barbie doll, which was owned Kennedy daughter Caroline, will also be sold.

Other items of note include a photo of Jacqueline Kennedy taken and autographed by Richard Avedon and an autographed special edition of Kennedy’s inaugural address.