The Bible that Jacqueline Kennedy turned to for solace and inspiration immediately after President John F. Kennedy's (JFK) assassination is set to be auctioned this month.
Just hours after JFK's tragic death on 22nd November 1963, the grieving widow sought refuge in this leather-bound volume, selecting a passage from Ecclesiastes for his funeral service.
According to Heritage Auctions, the Bible is anticipated to attract bids as high as $50,000 (£40,565).
Curtis Lindner, the director of Americana at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, explained that the Bible was initially a gift to the caretaker of Cardinal Richard Cushing, the Archbishop of Boston and a Kennedy family confidant.
The Bible features a note from Mrs Kennedy on its bookplate with the presidential seal, stating: "Bible we used the night Jack died to choose Ecclesiastes to be read at his funeral. JBK 1963."
However, Lindner clarified that this was not the family Bible used by JFK during his presidential oath but still holds significant historical value.
Set for live auction on 26th April, the bidding for this Bible has already reached $19,375 (£15,720).
In addition to this sacred text, Heritage Auctions is offering a collection of poignant letters penned by Mrs Kennedy to Cardinal Cushing after her husband's murder, as well as other Kennedy memorabilia such as golf balls and Christmas cards.
Lindner remarked on the unique nature of this item: "It is a sad piece of history but a piece of history nonetheless."