JFK'S SILVER BABY BRUSH.

John F. Kennedy's silver baby brush used when he was an infant, and also on his son JFK, Jr, in the White House,

John F. Kennedy's silver baby brush used when he was an infant, and also on his son JFK, Jr, in the White House, textured sterling silver in the art deco style, engraved monogram "JFK," 2 x 3 x 1 1/4 inches, c.1915, small dent above monogram.
Provenance: John F. Kennedy (1917-1963); Jacqueline Kennedy; gift to Viola Wise, "Big Mamma" (White House maid and caregiver, with accompanying letter on White House stationery); Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection; sold Camelot: 50 Years After Dallas, RR Auction, Boston, October 24, 2013, lot 65.

Viola Wise on "John John" and the brush: "Like many young infants, he was 'ugly.' I would hold him and say, 'John, John, you may be an ugly darlin' baby boy, but you are a millionaire and the son of a President, so 'Big Mamma' is gonna keep on feedin' and rockin' you.' And I would comb and brush his youthful hair with the President's hair brush ... This baby hair brush is one of my favorites, because I was so frequently with the Kennedy children, and because it was used for the President when he was an infant." (From enclosed letter of provenance).