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Top Five JFK Memorabilia Sales

ByNate D Sanders

John F. Kennedy was a WWII war hero, U.S. House of Representatives member and Massachusetts senator before being elected as the 35th President of the United States. As president he spearheaded the U.S. space program, advocated for civil rights legislation and successfully handled the Cuban missile crisis. JFK items are among the most sought after presidential memorabilia. Please see below for some highlights of our JFK sales:

5) John F. Kennedy Personally Owned Humidor

Many remember JFK as a cigar connoisseur as he was often photographed with a cigar in hand. We realized $15,813 for a beautiful mahogany humidor with the engraving “President Kennedy” on lid gifted by Amelito R. Mutuc, the Philippine Ambassador. Two unopened cigars also accompany the humidor.

Wooden humidor with the engraving "President Kennedy" in cursive on lid. Also pictured are two unopened cigars and a photo of JFK enjoying a cigar while reading a newspaper.
Click image to enlarge.

4) Section of Leather Seat From JFK’s Assassination in Presidential Limo

Vaughn Ferguson, White House Technical Service Representative, reported removing the leather from back seat of JFK’s Presidential limo four days following his assassination along with the White House upholsterer. Ferguson also explains that he kept some of the leather for himself. We sold a 3″x3″ swatch of leather from the back seat of JFK’s Presidential limo for $19,036. Blood spotting on the dark blue leather can be seen under black light.

Dark blue swatch of leather pictured next to a photo of the presidential limo following JFK's assassination, a typed letter by Vaughn Ferguson and a photo of Ferguson signing his letter of provenance.
Click image to enlarge.

3) “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Poster for JFK’s 1962 Birthday Party

President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 birthday celebration is famously remembered as ”Happy Birthday, Mr. President” for Marilyn Monroe’s memorable singing performance. The “birthday salute”, also a fundraiser for the Democratic Party, was attended by about 15,000 people and included performances by other entertainers including Judy Garland, Maria Callas and Peggy Lee. We sold an advertising poster for the event for $34,375.

13.875 x 20 inch poster with red, white and blue stripes. A black and white image of John F. Kennedy appears at top.
Click image to enlarge.

2) Presidential Blanket From Limo During JFK Assassination

We realized $61,599 for a blanket that was stored in the Presidential limousine at the time of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Two blankets were built into the Presidential limousine doors to be easily accessible in chilly conditions. The blanket features an embroidered Presidential seal and once contained some blood spots before getting professionally cleaned.

Folded navy blanket with an embroidered Presidential seal on front and fuzzy grey lining. Blanket is next to a photo of the presidential limo with a visible blanket/lap robe affixed to door. Another photo of
Click image to enlarge.

1) Rocking Chair Used by JFK as President

President John F. Kennedy helped popularize the rocking chair while serving as president and was frequently photographed in the White House sitting in them. His personal physician, Dr. Janet Travell, prescribed the chairs for him to relieve back pain from his WWII injuries. We sold a mid-century rocking chair upholstered with terra-cotta colored leather and used by JFK as president for $90,000.

Rocking chair with brown wood and orange-brown leather upholstery on seat, back and arm rests.
JFK rocking chair memorabilia. Click image to enlarge.

This concludes our top John F. Kennedy memorabilia sales! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like a free appraisal of your JFK item.