Never-before-seen photos show JFK relaxing at his holiday home in Florida

Candid never-before-seen photos of President John F Kennedy on a ‘working holiday’ less than a year before he was assassinated have come to light.

The fascinating snaps show JFK at work and relaxing at his idyllic holiday home in Florida in December 1962 and January 1963.

He can be seen reading documents while sitting on his patio, chatting with one of his advisers, and taking a break from official business to soak up the sun in his garden.

While this was going on, Kennedy was having his portrait drawn by celebrated artist of the age Elaine de Kooning.

Candid never-before-seen photos of President John F Kennedy on a ‘working holiday’ less than a year before he was assassinated have come to light

The fascinating snaps show JFK at work and relaxing at his idyllic holiday home in Florida in December 1962 and January 1963

The fascinating snaps show JFK at work and relaxing at his idyllic holiday home in Florida in December 1962 and January 1963

There is also a charming snap of Kennedy’s young daughter Caroline, who would have been five years old at the time, imitating the artist by doing her own drawing of her famous father.

The photos were taken by young American photographer Eddie Johnson, who was at the Palm Beach residence – JFK’s ‘Winter White House’ – as the artist’s personal assistant.

They have emerged for sale from his estate with RR Auctions.

Johnson recounted his special assignment to his family in a letter, dated January 8, 1963, that is also being sold with the negatives. 

He can be seen reading documents while sat on his patio, chatting with one of his advisers and taking a break from official business to soak up the sun in his garden

He can be seen reading documents while sat on his patio, chatting with one of his advisers and taking a break from official business to soak up the sun in his garden

President Kennedy looks calm and at ease at his vacation home in the photos, which are now being put up for auction

President Kennedy looks calm and at ease at his vacation home in the photos, which are now being put up for auction

He said he was thrilled to be accepted into the Kennedys’ ‘inner sanctum’ and become ‘part of the household’. 

‘I hardly know how to tell you everything – first I suppose, as is obvious by the photos, we did manage to get into the “inner sanctum” to do the portrait!’ he wrote. 

‘In fact, I think we became almost part of the household and ended up being very familiar with all Kennedy’s secret service men, secretary, etc, etc.’

Johnson also wrote to his family about his own interactions with the president and his wife Jackie Kenedy.  

‘Today was JFK’s last day in Palm Beach, but Elaine has decided to stick around another week or two,’ he wrote.  

Kennedy was having his portrait drawn by celebrated artist of the age Elaine de Kooning (pictured) at the time the photos were being taken

Kennedy was having his portrait drawn by celebrated artist of the age Elaine de Kooning (pictured) at the time the photos were being taken 

There is also a charming snap of Kennedy's young daughter Caroline, who would have been five years old, imitating the artist by doing her own drawing of her famous father

There is also a charming snap of Kennedy’s young daughter Caroline, who would have been five years old, imitating the artist by doing her own drawing of her famous father

The photos were taken by young American photographer Eddie Johnson who was at the Palm Beach residence - JFK's 'Winter White House' - as the artist's personal assistant

The photos were taken by young American photographer Eddie Johnson who was at the Palm Beach residence – JFK’s ‘Winter White House’ – as the artist’s personal assistant

‘We then got him to ourselves a couple of times on different days for short periods of time (this is when I took the most photos).’ 

‘JFK finally had to take a break from the conference and came over to satisfy his curiosity, and the whole group began to go over the drawings and small paintings.’

‘Jackie picked out one she liked & Elaine gave it to her – it was actually the best one she had done. Elaine & I agree. Mrs JFK has a pretty good eye.’

The negatives, which have been described as ‘exceptional’ by the auctioneer, have been consigned for sale by Johnson’s family. 

The photo negatives (pictured) and accompanying letters are valued at $1,000 for the upcoming auction

The photo negatives (pictured) and accompanying letters are valued at $1,000 for the upcoming auction 

‘We believe that many of the images have never-been-seen before and provide a rare behind the scenes glimpse at De Kooning capturing her vision of JFK as president,’ said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction. 

‘It’s an exceptional collection of unique JFK photographs, handsomely portraying the president while on a working holiday.’ 

The photo negatives and accompanying letters are valued at $1,000. 

De Kooning’s official portrait was a commission for the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. The timed auction ends on May 8.

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