(#3) POF: Series 2. Special Correspondence

Administrative Information
Historical Note
Collection Overview

List of Series
Series 1. General Correspondence
Series 2. Special Correspondence
Series 3. Speech Files
Series 4. Legislative Files
Series 5. Press Conferences
Series 6. Staff Memoranda
Series 7. Departments and Agencies
Series 8. Subjects
Series 9. Countries
Series 10. Personal Secretary's Files
Series 11. Special Events through the Years
Series 12. White House Signal Agency
Series 13. Presidential Recordings (White House Meetings and Telephone Recordings file)
ADDITIONS
Addition of June 2005

Collection Description

Series 2. Special Correspondence
Boxes 27-33

Seven boxes [2.9 linear shelf feet) of Special Correspondence were opened to research in January 1974. At that time, one box [0.4 linear shelf foot] was closed due to donor restrictions or national security classification. In addition, one box [0.4 linear shelf foot] of valuable originals was withdrawn for preservation and replaced in the open files by electrostatic copies.

Formerly called the "VIP Alpha" series, the Special Correspondence series is a unique collection of letters and memoranda received by the President from distinguished public figures and close friends. Curiously, material may be found filed by name of correspondent or by person discussed in the correspondence, the criteria being inconsistent at the time of filing. There are three kinds of items: notes and letters from or concerning the President's family and friends; correspondence from members of the President's staff, advisers and non-government officials; and letters from prominent public figures. Former presidents, foreign heads of state, religious leaders, distinguished Congressmen, and well-known artists and writers are among those whose letters were placed in this series by Mrs. Lincoln. Of particular interest are letters from Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, Pablo Casals, and Robert Frost. The Special Correspondence series is distinguished by the notoriety of the people included, their particular relationships with President Kennedy, and the personal and oftentimes friendly nature of much of their correspondence. For the most part, this material is of an unofficial nature, and represents the personal feelings, thoughts and advice of the writers on matters not falling under official responsibilities.

The Special Correspondence series is arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent. One may find some correspondence with other prominent people in the General Correspondence series, the Staff Memoranda, the Countries series, and the Departments and Agencies series. Users should also refer to the White House Name Files in seeking all correspondence from a particular person.

9 Boxes. [3.8 Linear Shelf Feet]