[KENNEDY, John F. (1917-1963), association]. THOMPSON, Rev. James N. (1907-1982). The Original Crucifix Worn by Father James N. Thompson When He Administered Last Rites to President Kennedy at Parkland Memorial Hospital on November 22, 1963. Ebony wood (as per the small pewter plaque on the back of the crucifix) crucifix, with pewter cast image of the crucifixion on the front. Approximately 3 x 1 ½ x ½”. Fine. Offered with: THOMPSON, Rev. James N. Around One O’Clock. [Dallas, Texas: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1963]. 8vo. Original staple-bound wrapppers. [4 pp]. Fine. FIRST EDITION, ONE OF 1,000 COPIES, SIGNED BY FATHER THOMPSON ON [p. 4]. VERY SCARCE. A heart-wrenching personal account of Thompson’s participation in the administration of last rites to President Kennedy on that fateful day in 1963 at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Offered with: a typed note signed by noted John F. Kennedy collector Seymour M. Kessler (dated March 13, 1974), sending a gift to Father Thompson, and asking for a few copies of Around One O’Clock (approximately 7 ½ x 5 ½”). Offered with: funeral notice card for the memorial services of Rev. James N. Thompson, C. N. for his internment in St. Steven Cemetery, Flora, Ill. Card approximately 3 ½ x 5 ½”. Light toning, else fine. Offered with: two Polaroid photos of Father Thompson, one of him performing a mass at his sister’s house (the mother of the owner of this group), and another of him posing with his brother and sister. Fine. THIS LOT COMES FROM THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF FATHER THOMPSON’S GREAT NIECE (emailed copies of her Letter of Provenance is available upon request). From her Letter of Provenance: “My Great Uncle was quite the collector of crucifixes if you will. He was particular to this one, because he would joke and state that this matched his clerical clothes (being it was a small wooden ebony crucifix and his clerical clothes were black), that it was small enough to fit in the front pocket of his priest’s jacket, and that he carried it at all times including when he was at Parkland Memorial Hospital administering Last Rites to his parishioners and to President John F. Kennedy… My Great Uncle was also a smoker and would smoke whilst playing cards with us [his great niece and nephew]. My Great Uncle while reaching in the pocket of his priest’s jacket to obtain his lighter and cigarettes, he also brought out the small wooden ebony crucifix, that he carried next to his Zippo lighter. This is when I first heard the story about the ebony crucifix, and why my Great Uncle kept it near his Zippo lighter in the front pocket of his priest’s jacket. My Great Uncle proceeded to tell us his recollection of the ride back to the rectory and how he was still in shock of what he just witnessed and went through all the other emotions of being very saddened and in a state of disbelief. Having the small wooden ebony crucifix close to his Zippo lighter and cigarettes reminded him of that fateful day when he went to Parkland Memorial to assist Father Huber in Administering Last Rites to President John F. Kennedy…”