1962 JFK Cake Decoration Up For Auction

Ever see the Seinfeld episode in which Elaine accidentally eats a piece of the Duchess of Windor's antique wedding cake? We wouldn't recommend that trick with the piece shown above, the Presidential Seal cake side decoration from President John F. Kennedy's May 29, 1962 birthday cake. The unique piece is being sold November 17 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas.

The sugar decoration was taken home by decorated NYPD Detective Patrick "Patty" Larkin the night of the party. The piece is a relic from the famous night when Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" to JFK at Madison Square Garden as the giant cake was brought in. Larkin, who was working security detail the night of the event, brought the piece home for his then-girlfriend, Lois. Now Larkin's widow, she says that at the end of the night he saw that it was going to be thrown out and he told a worker he really liked it, and wondered if he could have it. "The worker said, 'that's between (you) and the garbage,' and the rest is now really history." She says the piece went from closet to closet in their houses throughout the years and she's hoping that it will go to someone who can preserve it.

The side decoration carries a pre-auction estimate of $5,000+, is being offered as part of Heritage Auction Galleries November Grand Format American & Political Memorabilia Auction, taking place in-person at the company's Dallas headquarters, as well as live online at HA.com.

The auction features an important selection of John F. Kennedy items assembled to mark the 50th anniversary of his 1960 election, including treasures such as a gold presentation watch worn by JFK throughout the campaign, and what may well be the only example of Kennedy's trademark rocking chair to come with an authentication from the Kennedy family.