For Sale: JFK 1962 Birthday Cake

Own a piece of history from the JFK birthday gala.

Up for auction now is a side decoration from the cake served at President John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962, together with a program from the event.

This event was of course the occasion when politics and Hollywood collided as Marilyn Monroe sang the most memorable version ever of "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy.

Starting Bid: $2,500.00

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"Happy Birthday, Mr. President"

John F. Kennedy: JFK Birthday Cake Side Decoration from May 19th, 1962. In remembering John F. Kennedy, we recall pleasant events that took place during the time of "Camelot": children romping in the Oval Office, touch football games, boating in Hyannis Port, a gracious White House First Lady, press conferences accented by flashes of brilliant humor by the President, the "Rat Pack," and Hollywood celebrities. One event has truly taken on legendary proportions, namely the birthday party given at Madison Square Garden to celebrate JFK's 45th birthday. No one can forget sultry Marilyn Monroe in her skin-tight sequined dress singing, or heavily-breathing, a rendition of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President". JFK's reaction was a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment. Later revelations about a romantic relationship between Monroe and the Kennedy brothers only serve to make the moment more laced with innuendo and emotion. Presidential birthday parties had begun during Franklin Roosevelt's presidency. The tradition was revived for JFK, while the added novelty of an influx of Hollywood celebrities. The party was attended by 15,000 guests and hosted by Jack Benny. Performers included: Robert Merrill, Ella Fitzgerald, Jerome Robbins, Danny Kaye, Henry Fonda, Maria Callas, Peggy Lee, Jimmy Durante, and Bobby Darin. Marilyn Monroe, just a few months shy of her untimely death, was introduced by Peter Lawford, JFK's brother-in-law.


At the conclusion of her performance, a large birthday cake was carried into the hall. After the party, a police officer, part of a security detail, retrieved the cake side decoration as a souvenir. It has been preserved by his widow for the last forty-eight years. The disc or emblem is decorated with sugar frosting in the design of the Presidential Seal. It measures 10" in diameter and is 2" in height, resting upon a thick cardboard foundation. Besides the displayed eagle and constellation of clouds and stars, there are five roses: two large ones at each wing tip and three smaller ones by the claws. The roses have become detached over the years. The color of the frosted decoration is primarily brown, beige, red, blue, and green. As shown, there is some scattered loss around the outer border and the constellation. Overall, the years have been kind to this souvenir of Camelot, but it is fragile and needs to be handled with care. It is sold together with an 8.25" x 10.5" program for the event titled "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" (with light soiling and a vertical crease), along with a signed statement by the consignor attesting to the details of its acquisition. It is subject to third party shipping costs and is also available for pickup in our New York City office. Estimate: $5,000 - $10,000.

Hank Jones: The Man Who Accompanied Marilyn

Hank Jones, the man who was on stage at the piano behind Marilyn Monroe as she sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy on May 19, 1926, will receive a lifetime achievement award, and will also be acknowledged at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on February 8.

Hank Jones, a member of the famous jazz family that includes brothers cornetist Thad and drummer Elvin, has served as a pianist in a vast array of settings, always lending a distinctive, swinging sensibility to the sessions. Although born in Mississippi, Jones grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, listening to such performers as Earl Hines, Fats Waller, and Art Tatum. A performer by the time he was 13, Jones played with territory bands that toured Michigan and Ohio. In one such band he met saxophonist Lucky Thompson, who got him a job in the Hot Lips Page band in 1944, prompting Jones' move to New York.

Once in New York, Jones became exposed to bebop, embracing the style in his playing and even recording with Charlie Parker. Meanwhile, he took jobs with such bandleaders as John Kirby, Coleman Hawkins, Andy Kirk, Billy Eckstine, and Howard McGhee. He toured with Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic from 1947-51. As a result, he became Ella Fitzgerald's pianist, touring with her from 1948-53. These experiences served to broaden his musical palette and sophistication.

A consummate freelancer, Jones found work with artists such as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Milt Jackson, and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. The versatility Jones acquired through such affiliations served him well when he joined the staff of CBS as a studio musician, remaining for 17 years. Although his studio work found him working on productions like the Ed Sullivan Show, Jones continued his touring and recording experiences in a variety of settings. His broad range and ability to fit in different settings also landed him in Broadway stage bands, where he served as pianist and conductor for such shows as Ain't Misbehavin'.

Jones was the first regular pianist in brother Thad's co-led orchestra with Mel Lewis, beginning in 1966. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Jones continued to be much in demand for record dates and tours. Among his affiliations was the Great Jazz Trio, a cooperative unit with Ron Carter and Tony Williams, who were later supplanted by Buster Williams and Ben Riley. Jones has also experienced his share of piano duos, with the likes of Tommy Flanagan -- with whom he became acquainted when both were developing around the Detroit area -- George Shearing, and John Lewis. As a leader and valued sideman, Hank Jones can be found on thousands of recordings.

For more on Hank Jones, visit http://www.officialhankjones.com/.