JFK GIVEN "OLD IRONSIDES" CANNON BOOKENDS
Washington, D.C.(JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy,
a veteran of the United States Navy, was presented a pair of wooden
bookends with working replica models of 24 pounder cannon carried by the USS Constitution or "Old Ironsides".
The bookends, made by Oscar Lee Richardson, were presented to the President by Lt. Commander Rutledge E. Barry. The President displayed the bookends on his desk in the Oval Office.
JFK's office, decorated in a naval theme, also had a painting by Thomas Birch of the battle between the USS United States versus the HMS Macedonian.
JFK+50 NOTE
On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the HMS Guerriere 400 miles SE of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The American victory gave a boost to American morale early in the War of 1812.
The bookends, made by Oscar Lee Richardson, were presented to the President by Lt. Commander Rutledge E. Barry. The President displayed the bookends on his desk in the Oval Office.
JFK+50 NOTE
On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the HMS Guerriere 400 miles SE of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The American victory gave a boost to American morale early in the War of 1812.
USS Constitution Bookends
JFK Library Image
