When John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States in 1960, many Americans felt that he and his young family epitomized the ideal American family. Along with their vitality and youthfulness, one of the many things that made the Kennedy’s relatable to Americans was their appearance of being “down to earth” – and what is more down to earth than the family that drives a Ford? Although the cars Jack and Jackie Kennedy are most associated with are the long, sleek Lincoln Continental SS-100-X’s, the couple’s everyday car was a 1956 Ford Country Squire station wagon. The Country Squire had the faux wooden side panels that today is so synonymous with what we commonly think the typical 1950’s family drove around in. In this case, Jack and Jackie Kennedy really did.

This is the District of Columbia license plate that was attached to the bumper of the Kennedy’s family Ford. The cream-colored plate is in the standard 6 x 12 inches stamped tin format and has “NATION’S CAPITAL” above number “626” and “DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA”, all stamped in red. The “3-31” and “65” in the two top corners identify this as a 1964 issued plate that expired March 31, 1965. The distinctively low number “626” is one of Washington D.C.’s “Reserved Number Registrations”. These plates numbered 1-1200 and were reserved by the DMV for politicians and other Washington notables and their families. As these “Reserved Number Registrations” were a status symbol in Washington, they were highly desirable, and the same number was retained year after year. Available District of Columbia DMV records show that Jackie Kennedy was issued plate number 626 as far back as 1958. The stamped plate shows good use from its attachment to Jackie’s 1956 Ford. The paint has chipped in some spots and there are scuff mark and abrasions where the plate was bolted to the car. Please refer to our website www.goldinauctions.com for detailed photos of the plate.

Jackie’s 1961 District of Columbia Registration Certificate accompanies the license plate. The two-sided card has the matching “626” number as the license plate as well as the details of the car – 1956 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon.  The Ford is registered to “JACQUELINE BOUVIER KENNEDY” and her address is the most famous one in the city “1600 PA AVE NW 6 DC” – The White House. The document has the expected registration and vehicle inspection stamps and a number “58” has been punched through the card.

The plate and registration come with the original manila envelope that accompanied the lot when our consignor obtained it at auction many years ago. The envelope was sent by Sammie Newman and is addressed “For Mrs. Evelyn Lincoln. The top right corner has “Kennedy Trip September 12, 1962” written. The envelope held four photographs of the 1956 Ford, one of which showing the President getting into the driver’s side.  These prints are included in this lot. Evelyn Lincoln was JFK’s personal secretary and although we have been unable to identify the Sammie Newman on the envelope, a “Sammie L. Newman” does appear in the document entitled "PAPERS FROM THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS COLLECTION AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES."  On p.4 Sammie L. Newman is referenced in connection with the CIA’s involvement in Cuba. A unique piece of Presidential history and a small reminder of why many thought of the Kennedy’s as the first First Family that Americans could truly relate to.

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