Jacqueline Kennedy plastic Halloween mask

Object number2002.024.0001

Datecirca 1960

ClassificationsArtifacts

ObjectMask

Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection

MediumPlastic, String

DimensionsOverall: 11 1/2 x 7 3/4 x 5 1/4 in. (29.2 x 19.7 x 13.3 cm)

Terms

Collections

DescriptionPlastic Halloween mask in the form of a caricature of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The plastic is painted to mimic Mrs. Kennedy's features with brown hair, dark eyebrows and a pink mouth. There are holes cut out for the eyes, nose and mouth of the wearer. String or elastic would have been used to tie the mask on the wearer's head. "MADE IN FRANCE" is stamped in relief on the reverse side of the mask.

Curatorial Commentary

Regular and translucent plastic adult masks with exaggerated features were manufactured representing both President and Mrs. Kennedy in the early 1960s. As of Fall 2022, the Museum has a regular Jacqueline Kennedy mask (2002.024.0001) and a translucent John F. Kennedy mask (2002.033.0001). This Jacqueline Kennedy mask is similar to a series of world leaders masks also manufactured in France in the early 1960s. The Museum has examples of caricature masks of British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, French president Charles de Gaulle, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and Cuban president Fidel Castro. In addition to these adult masks, the Museum also has full children's Halloween costumes representing President and Mrs. Kennedy, produced by Ben Cooper, Inc. in 1963. If you have examples of President or Mrs. Kennedy masks from the 1960s, please let us know at oralhistory@jfk.org. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator