Bronze plaque on wedge shaped wood block with raised lettering that reads "Oh God thy sea is so great and my boat is so small." This Old Breton prayer was given to new submarine captains by Admiral Hyman Rickover, who gave this plaque to the President. President Kennedy favored this quote and used in his remarks at the dedication of the East Coast Memorial to the Missing at Sea, May 23, 1963. He kept the plaque on his desk in the Oval Office.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 63.4861
Replica of the HMS Resolute Desk
Replica of the Victorian period desk originally designed and built by William Evenden at Chatham dockyard in England. The front of the desk has an inserted panel carved with the Presidential Seal, an addition carved by the White House carpenter and ordered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who wished to install a safe as well as block his leg braces from view. The desk disappeared from public view for a number of years and early in the Kennedy Administration, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy discovered it in the White House broadcast room. Because of President Kennedy's love of the sea and interest in naval history she had the desk returned to a place of honor in his Oval office on February 4, 1961. Replica made by Robert Whitley (Master craftsman, American).
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 79.242
President Kennedy's Oval Office Desk Chair
Black leather and fabric upholstered swivel chair with a solid cherry brass-capped base on 2-inch rubber wheels. The interior frame is made of solid maple and the chair's back and seat are foam-filled over a spring foundations. The chair has a removable back pad for extra support. Made by W.H. Gunlocke Chair Co. (American, established 1902).
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Official Presidential Inaugural Medal
Single mintage, 14K gold Inaugural Medal of President Kennedy in profile facing left with raised inscription "John Fitzgerald Kennedy." The reverse shows the presidential seal in center with "Inaugurated January 20th 1961" below. President Kennedy had his inaugural medal encased in lucite, which he kept on his desk of the Oval Office. Designed by Paul Manship (American 1886-1966).
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
Photographs of John F. Kennedy and his daughter, Caroline
Two framed black and white photographs of John F. Kennedy with his daughter Caroline. The President kept these photographs on his desk in the Oval Office.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 63.6121
Photograph of John F. Kennedy Jr.
Color photograph of John F. Kennedy Jr. President Kennedy displayed this photograph of his son in the Oval Office of the White House.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
Ship Model of the Danmark
This model of the Danish maritime training ship the Danmark was presented to President Kennedy by Kirsten Runge in the Oval office during a New York Herald Tribune forum for students to visit the White House on February 15, 1961.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 79.185
Model of the Clipper Ship "Sea Witch"
The Sea Witch was the first Clipper ship to go around Cape Horn to California in less than 100 days, and twice broke speed records from Canton to the United States. This ship model was part of President Kennedy's personal model collection. He displayed it in the Oval Office of the White House.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 79.189
Scrimshaw
Whale tooth engraved a frigate running before the wind under full sail on front. The back is engraved in black and red image a woman in a full length dress with a checkered apron holding a tiny parasol in her right hand and handkerchief in her left. It was used as a bookend in the Oval Office.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 63.6112
King of Norway Scrimshaw
Whale tooth engraved with a profile image of the King of Norway. Inscribed "Christian VI, King of Norway" in gold on the wood base. Tooth is mounted vertically on oval shaped wooden base.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 63.6111.2
Signing Desk
This desk was part of the furniture in the Oval Office during President Kennedy's Administration and was used by President John F. Kennedy in signing bills, Executive Orders, and treaties.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 98.172
Bookends with Models of the USS Constitution Cannons
Two L shaped wood bookends with handmade, working replica models of USS Constitution ship's cannons, 24-pounder long guns mounted on sliding carriages. These bookends, given to President John F. Kennedy by Lt. Commander Rutledge E. Barry, were displayed in the Oval Office.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accession number MO 63.4858
Carved Miniature Lion
Carved reclining lion in the act of eating. The sculpture has a hollow core and is set on a black painted wood base. Made in Egypt, 610-595 BCE, 26th Dynasty.
This lion, a gift from President Kennedy's friend Lem Billings, was displayed on his desk in the Oval Office of the White House.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
Reproduction of an Old North Church Lantern
This lantern is a reproduction of the original tin lantern which hung in the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts on the night of Paul Revere's famous ride in April 1775, made by William deMatteo, Master Silversmith of Colonial Williamsburg (American, 1923 - 1988).
A pair of these lanterns was presented to President John F. Kennedy at the White House Correspondents' Association's Annual Presidential Dinner on February 25, 1961 in Washington, D.C. President Kennedy displayed the lanterns in his Oval Office of the White House.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
Desk Lectern
Wooden desk lectern covered in brown felt, with an open compartment along back holding 2 microphones, speaker cord runs from microphones underneath the lectern. President Kennedy used this lectern when giving press conferences in the Oval Office.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
