FIRST LADY JACQUELINE B. KENNEDY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/04/1963 - HFSID 269146

THE FIRST LADY ASKS PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S DOCTOR TO HAVE A WATER MASSAGE INSTRUMENT INSTALLED IN THE WHITE HOUSE SWIMMING POOL (UNDOUBTEDLY FOR HIS BACK PAIN) AND ASKS THAT THE "ROLLING PIN REDUCER" BE LEFT IN THE GYM FOR HER THIGHS!
JACQUELINE KENNEDY. Rare Autograph Letter Signed: "JBK" as First Lady, 1p (plus conclusion of postscript on verso), 5x8. The White House, Washington, 1963 March 4. To DR. [JANET] TRAVELL. In full: "Mr Rosenbloom sent the President a water massage instrument - to be installed in swimming pool - apparently you have it - Could you ask Mr West to get it installed - I used it in Fla & it was marvelous." After signing, Mrs. Kennedy adds: "Also could you ask Chief Hendricks if he has found me the rolling pin reducer yet & (on verso) if he has could he leave it in gym (for thighs)". In 1955, DR. JANET TRAVELL (1901-1997) was called upon by the orthopedic surgeon of then Senator John F. Kennedy, who had failed to recover from major back surgeries related to injuries he suffered in World War II. Dr. Travell was able to locate muscular sources for his chronic pain and was successful in treating him. When Kennedy was elected President in 1960, he appointed Dr. Travell to the post of Personal Physician to the President, the first woman to hold the position. Dr. Travell advocated the use of a rocking chair to alleviate President Kennedy's back pain. She continued in her post until 1965. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a swimming pool constructed in the White House to help strengthen his upper body. In 1969, to accommodate the growing number of reporters assigned to the White House, President Nixon had the swimming pool covered over; it is now the location of the Press Center. J. B. WEST was the Chief Usher of the White House. Staple holes in upper left corner. Fine condition.