Assignment of Armorial Ensigns to the Kennedy Coat of Arms
Artifact IDMO 63.820c
Object Type
Document
Date
ca. 1961
Date Presented3/16/1961
Gifter
Thomas J. Kiernan
Place MadeIreland
Place of GiftWashington DC, United States
Medium
Ink on paper
DimensionsOverall H 17 3/4 in x W 23 1/2 in (45.1 cm x 59.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionCalligraphed and illuminated document with the Kennedy coat of arms at center and wax seal of Ireland attached to a green ribbon at bottom center, with Gaelic text on the left and English on the right. This assigns armorial ensigns to the Kennedy coat of arms, for John F. Kennedy and his descendants, awarded by Gerard Slevin, Master of Arts, Chief Herald of Ireland.
Historical NoteThe illuminated coat of arms given to President John F. Kennedy by Thomas J. Kiernan, Irish ambassador to the U.S., at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day 1961 was a departure from previous gifts from Ireland to U.S. heads of state. At Kiernan's request on behalf of the government of Ireland, the Office of Heraldry in Dublin prepared a special "earned" coat of arms for the President. An earned coat of arms was created, as Kiernan explained, when “a man had done something exceptional for his people.” Kennedy’s coat of arms is based on ancient heraldry from the O’Kennedy and Fitzgerald families combined with a new element--a raised arm grasping a bundle of arrows at the top representing the Kennedy presidency.
Additional DetailsCustodial History NoteItem was a gift from a foreign official to the President and First Lady received through the Executive office during the Kennedy Administration and transferred to the General Service Administration where it was held until donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyUse Restriction NoteCopyright and other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.In Collection(s)
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