Kennedy Memorabilia Collector Returns Some Disputed Items

NEW YORK (AllPolitics, March 17) - A collector of John F. Kennedy memorabilia has handed over four more items to federal agents, apparently ending an ownership dispute with federal officials.

The items were to be part of an auction of hundreds of Kennedy's personal effects scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Seventh Regiment Armory in Manhattan.

Collector Robert White gave the National Archives and Records Administration three documents and a special Oval Office desk that JFK used for his back problems, according to Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey's auction house in New York.

On Friday, three pieces thought to endanger national security were pulled from the auction.

But the agreement apparently does not end a dispute between the Kennedy family and White.

Kennedy's children, Caroline and John Jr., called Monday for the return of many of the late president's possessions set for auction.

Those items included a St. Christopher medal money clip that the family believed had been lost and correspondence between the president and his wife.

White obtained about 300 of the items to be sold from President Kennedy's personal secretary, the late Evelyn Norton Lincoln. Authorities claimed some of the pieces are risks to national security, while others rightfully belonged to the National Archives.

Tuesday March 17, 1998

• White House Takes Aim At Willey's Credibility
• Lewinsky Friend, Presidential Diarist Testify
• Gingrich's Impeachment Committee Idea Runs Into Opposition
• HIV/AIDS Council Rebukes Clinton Administration
• Kennedy Memorabilia Collector Returns Some Disputed Items
• White House Scandal At A Glance

Documents:
• The Willey-Clinton Letters

Players:
• Willey Liked To Hobnob With Politicians