John F. Kennedy Personally Owned & Multi-Signed "History of Ireland" Six-Volume Book Set (JSA LOAs)

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History of Ireland by Rev. E. A. D'Alton. First edition, complete six-volume set published in London by The Gresham Publishing Company in 1912. Bound in green cloth w/gilt decorations, the books have scattered light foxing to text and wear to spine ends Of note is splitting to hinges on Vol. 5 and 6. Fine to VF. Each of the first five volumes are signed "John F. Kennedy" on the first free end page and the sixth is signed upside-down on the final free end page suggesting Kennedy likely had this volume flipped when he went about marking each book. Signatures are in black fountain pen ink remaining bold grading Exc. to NM. These books were obtained by the consignor privately in Palm Beach, FL not long after the June 2020 sale of Kennedy's "Winter White House". This combined w/the fact that these are early full signatures, their consistency and placement indicate they were likely Kennedy's personal property. Each book includes a full Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication.

The Fitzgerald family hailed from western Ireland in County Limerick making the migration in 1840s and 1850s. Cooper Patrick Kennedy of southeastern Ireland County Wexford also came to the United States around this time marrying Bridget Murphy (also hailing from County Wexford) in 1849. Patrick & Bridget were JFK's paternal great-grandparents. Both the Fitzgerald and the Kennedy families navigated the harsh discrimination against Irish-Catholic immigrants in Boston and by the end of the nineteenth century, both of JFK's grandfathers were successful Boston politicians. All four of JFK's grandparents were the children of Irish immigrants instilling a deep connection to their native country's history in the young JFK. Undoubtedly, he took some solace in discovering the Kennedy (Cennetig) translated to 'Ugly Head' when perusing these books, but that sentiment was surely overridden by a swell of pride finding his surname directly linked to that of Brian Boru, the high king of Ireland from 1002 to 1014. When Kennedy took his oath of office his hand was placed on a Bible brought to the US by his ancestors. Speaking during his now famed 1963 trip to Ireland JFK stated "When my great grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things: a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty. I am glad to say that all of his great-grandchildren have valued that inheritance."