Archive of Washington Insider and Kennedy Confidante Melody Miller to Auction
Melody J. Miller’s personal album of more than 65 autographed and signed typed letters received from various members of the Kennedy family, including a handwritten letter from Jacqueline Kennedy, and many items of correspondence from politicians, celebrities and other notables. Estimate: $2,000-$3,000
Quinn’s Auction Galleries will auction political memorabilia archive of Washington insider and Kennedy family confidante Melody Miller (1945-2022) online on February 18.
“Melody Miller was a close confidante to the Kennedy family for more than four decades,” said Matthew Quinn, executive vice president of Quinn’s. “She started as an aide to Jackie Kennedy, worked on Robert F Kennedy’s campaign, and ultimately spent 38 years as Ted Kennedy’s deputy press secretary. Her collection presents a rare insight into the private lives of the Kennedy family through personal letters, photographs and mementos.”
Melody Miller maintained a personal ephemera album over many years. It contains more than 65 autographed and signed-typed letters received from 10 members of the Kennedy family. The collection includes a handwritten letter from Jacqueline Kennedy, as well as correspondence from many politicians and celebrities (estimate: $2,000-$3,000).
A letter dated August 11, 1994 was sent to Miller by Caroline and John F Kennedy Jr to thank her for her role in organizing their mother Jacqueline’s memorial service. The typed letter is personally annotated and co-signed in ink, both by Caroline and John Jr. The lot also includes a photograph of Jacqueline Kennedy (then-Onassis) and a Newsweek magazine memorial issue (estimate: $300-$500).
Books to be auctioned include a 1990 first edition of An American Life, Ronald Reagan, The Autobiography, published by Simon and Schuster. It is signed by Reagan and inscribed in ink on the flyleaf 'To Jim [Golden], With Warm Personal Regards'. That inscription is preceded on the front free end paper with a gift inscription to Jim Golden from his wife, Elizabeth, dated 1990. From the Estate of Elizabeth Golden, it is estimated at $1,000-$2,000.
The burden of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Bay of Pigs Invasion is captured in an iconic photograph of JFK taken in 1961 by George Tames. Titled The Loneliest Job, the gelatin silver print from the Miller collection shows the 35th president in a deeply pensive moment, leaning over a desk and reading a document while awaiting the arrival of French ambassador Herve Alphand. The auction estimate is $2,000-$3,000.
Campaign memorabilia is also featured in the sale. A lot containing original 1960 Kennedy-Johnson presidential/vice presidential campaign ephemera includes a Two Great Democrats for President poster and a bumper sticker (estimate: $200-$300).
