Cuban Missile Crisis Calendar Paperweight
Artifact IDMO 78.82
Object Type
Paperweight
Date
1962
Maker
Tiffany & Co.
(American, est. 1837)
Medium
Silver, walnut, felt
DimensionsOverall W 4 1/2 in x D 4 in (11.4 cm x 10.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionSilver plaque mounted on a wooden base. The plaque is engraved with the month of October, and "JBK" and "JFK" at the top corners. The 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis are boldly engraved, October 16-28.
Historical NoteTo mark the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy had 34 calendar paperweights made to his design by Tiffany and Company, to be given to those closest to him during the crisis. Each featured the month of October, with the dates of the crisis boldly engraved, together with the recipient's and the President's initials. One was made for each member of his Cabinet, along with others, and engraved the top corner with their initials. Kennedy presented this calendar to his wife; other recipients included Presidential Aid Dave Powers and Kennedy's personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln.
Interestingly Tiffany's engraver made an error on Mrs. Kennedy's calendar and used an "I" instead of "J" in both sets of initials. The mistake apparently went unnoticed or unmentioned by anyone connected with the president at the time, although a professional engraver later pointed it out in a letter to the White House after seeing a photo of the calendar in a newspaper.
Additional DetailsInterestingly Tiffany's engraver made an error on Mrs. Kennedy's calendar and used an "I" instead of "J" in both sets of initials. The mistake apparently went unnoticed or unmentioned by anyone connected with the president at the time, although a professional engraver later pointed it out in a letter to the White House after seeing a photo of the calendar in a newspaper.
Custodial History NoteItem is from the personal collection of Jacqueline Kennedy. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy.
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 SeriesKennedy Administration Collection 1960-1963 (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Not on view
