If you need another good reason to ixnay a certain ememay oincay (if that’s your thing), why not consider acquiring some beautiful jewelry celebrating the legacy of the 34th and 35th presidents instead? Surely that’s a much better choice from the standpoints of aesthetics and investment (not to mention genuine patriotism).
In honor of Presidents’ Day (Feb. 17), I wanted to spotlight a few treasures along these lines that have popped up at M.S. Rau, a leading antiques and estate dealer in New Orleans. One belonged to JFK, while the other two were owned by first lady Mamie Eisenhower (as close as we could get, this time at least, to President Dwight D. Eisenhower).
First up is John F. Kennedy’s donkey pin (pictured at top)—an animal that’s an enduring symbol of the Democratic Party.
To verify the the pin’s direct connection to the Oval Office, M.S. Rau is offering it accompanied by a letter penned on White House letterhead by Evelyn Lincoln, Kennedy’s personal secretary. According to Lincoln, the pin was a gift from the president’s brother-in-law Peter Lawford. Though the jewel was originally intended for first lady Jackie Kennedy, it remained in the top drawer of JFK’s desk until the tragic events of November 1963.
“We always see an uptick in interest in presidential memorabilia during election years—there’s something about the energy of a new leader that sparks collectors’ enthusiasm,” says Bill Rau, third generation owner of M.S. Rau. “That said, items that belonged to certain American icons like John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis have timeless appeal, regardless of political cycles, because of their incredible significance and enduring popularity.”
Another piece of presidential memorabilia from M.S. Rau is a locket (pictured below) that belonged to Mamie Eisenhower, remembered fondly for her elegant yet approachable style and its influence on the fashion trends of the 1950s. Her iconic rhinestone-scattered inaugural gown shows not just her well-documented love of the color pink but her acutely feminine aesthetic.
One can imagine Mrs. Eisenhower wearing this monogrammed locket as a reminder of her husband, who was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army at the time of their marriage in 1916, since his military duties frequently kept them apart. That President Eisenhower is famous for leading the Allied forces in western Europe during World War II makes this piece as historically significant as it is sentimental, the perfect mix of grace and gravitas.
“Your typical collector of presidential jewelry is a history buff—someone who values historical provenance as an added layer of significance,” says Rau. “They are a different kind of collector than those looking for jewelry from Elizabeth Taylor or Shirley Temple, which has the allure of luxury and star power.”
One more president-adjacent jewel, also owned by Mrs. Eisenhower, is an art deco brooch (pictured below) that’s packing glamour and history in equal measure. It centers the most gloriously fuchsia pink tourmaline, a fitting choice for our “pink lady”—photographed here wearing it pinned to a coat.
Rau adds, “Presidential pieces often carry a deeper historical resonance, symbolizing leadership and the era in which they were worn.”
There’s a new era happening now. What precious presidential memorabilia will emerge from it? What will they tell us about American history?
On second thought, don’t answer that.
Top: Donkey in 14k gold with blue sapphire eyes and freshwater pearls, $39,850
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