John F. Kennedy Memorabilia: Value Factors & How to Sell
To auction, sell or consign your John F Kennedy memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
John F. Kennedy’s Accolades
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the U.S. beginning in 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Prior to his presidency he served in the House of Representatives and as a Senator for Massachusetts. Kennedy’s presidency was during the peak of the Cold War and much of his presidency involved handling relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union. He’s remembered for how he managed the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 averting a potential nuclear war with the Soviet Union. As part of Kennedy’s New Frontier policies the Peace Corp was established in 1961. Kennedy was also an ardent supporter of keeping the U.S. in the Space Race and created the goal of “landing a man on the Moon by the end of this decade and returning him safely to the Earth”.
Some of Our John F. Kennedy Memorabilia Sales:
Rocking Chair Used as President — Sold for $90,000
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.
Limo Presidential Blanket From Assassination — Sold for $61,599
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.
“Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Poster From 1962 — Sold for $34,375
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.
Personally Owned Humidor — Sold for $15,813
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.
Section of Leather Seat From Presidential Limo — Sold for $19,036
Original John F. Kennedy limousine leather from the ride that drove him through Dealey Plaza and down Elm Street where he was fatally shot on 22 November 1963. 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.
Personalized “Veteran of Foreign Wars” Leather Portfolio — Sold for $11,858
Collection of John F. Kennedy-related items owned by James H. Boyer, Sr., a Capitol police officer who was good friends with JFK’s top secret service man, John J. ”Muggsy” O’Leary, and became an occasional handyman for the family in his spare time. Interesting collection of items includes: (1) John F. Kennedy’s ”Veteran of Foreign Wars” leather presentation portfolio bearing a gilt embossed seal to cover reading ”John F. Kennedy / U.S. Senator”. Black leather portfolio has a plastic vinyl zipper-closure and measures 17” x 12”. (2) Jackie Kennedy autograph letter signed on her personal ”JBK” monogrammed stationery in blue ink, reading in full: ”Dear James – I find I paid my last handyman $1.50 an hour — so I want to pay you the same — this is for 4 hrs a day 5 days this week — + 8 hrs last week. if I am wrong about the amount of time last week let me know — Thanks / JBK”. Card-style note measures 5.75” x 4”, with her writing to front cover and inside. Includes original envelope with ”James” written in her hand. (3) 3” x 5” black and white glossy photo of JFK donning a VFW cap with ”Past Commander Massachusetts” across the side of the hat. (4) 8” x 10” black and white glossy photo of Boyer helping the Kennedys move from Georgetown to the White House with a 31 January 1961 stamp to verso. Lot includes a 3pp. Sold for $11,858.
Personally-Worn Necktie — Sold for $8,711
Personally-worn John F. Kennedy necktie. This blue, orange and black striped tie comes with provenance from Dave Powers, long-time friend and Special Assistant to Kennedy. Accompanied with a COA signed by Powers’ son, reading in part: ”…Many consider my father to have been President Kennedy’s best friend. They campaigned together…and traveled the world together on presidential visits from 1960 to 1963. During their travels, they frequently needed to switch from casual attire to something more formal…This blue, orange and black striped tie was worn by JFK and subsequently ended up with my father…” Measures 56.5” long. Light staining, else near fine. From the February 2013 John McInnis sale of the collection of Dave Powers. Sold for $8,711.
Wanted for Treason Handbill — Sold for $4,142
Incendiary and scarce handbill, circulated in Dallas at the time of John F. Kennedy…s November 1963 visit. Handbill proclaims, …WANTED FOR TREASON… below two front and profile photographs of Kennedy, and makes seven charges against him, including …Betraying the Constitution… and being lax in …enforcing Communist Registration laws.… The Warren Commission investigated the source of these documents, and determined that a man named Robert Surrey printed approximately 5,000 of them, but that Surrey had no connection to Lee Harvey Oswald. Despite this, questions regarding the connection of Dallas extremists associated with the handbills to Oswald have persisted to this day. Very few of the handbills now exist, as the vast majority were destroyed before Kennedy was killed. Lot is accompanied by letter of provenance from the Writer and Editor at …Life… magazine in 1963, Robert Wallace, who was in Dallas at the time of the assassination and collected a few of the handbills. He gave one to famed collector John Lattimer, to whom the letter is written. Wallace notes that the handbills …serve to give some indication of the attitude that prevailed, at least among fanatics, in Dallas at the time of the murder.… Orange-brown handbill measures 9″ x 12″. Overall creasing and very small tear to right margin. Very good condition. Sold for $4,142.
Itinerary for November 1963 Texas Trip — Sold for $3,336
Printed itinerary for President John F. Kennedy’s trip to Texas in November 1963, personally owned and used by Assistant Press Secretary Malcolm Kilduff, the man who publicly announced Kennedy’s assassination. Dated 20 November 1963, schedule begins at 9:00 pm that night and continues over the next two days, ending at 10:20 pm on 22 November with “President arrives Vice President Johnson’s ranch,” which tragically never occurred. Incredibly detailed document schedules JFK at times every five minutes; 45 minutes were allotted for the motorcade through Dallas from 11:45-12:30. Three page legal sized document is in very good condition with creasing and staple tears to the top left corner. Very rare schedule never before seen as available for sale. Sold for $3,336.
China From Last Official Dinner on 18 November, 1963 — Sold for $3,545
Striking cobalt blue dinner plate from John F. Kennedy’s last official dinner, the Inter American Press Association dinner held on 18 November 1963, just days before the President left for Texas. China plate features a gilt rim and gilt presidential seal at center, encircled by 14 coats of arms, each representing a member state of the IAPA. Plate underside is stamped ”Syracuse / China / 93-G U.S.A.” Plate measures 10.375”. Faint surface scratching, overall near fine condition. Sold for $3,545.
Bill Signing Pen Used as President — Sold for $1,300
Pen used by President John F. Kennedy to sign the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1961, a bill originally passed in 1948 and with major amendments passed in 1972 when it became known as the Clean Water Act. The amendments passed on 20 July 1961, for which this pen was used, included research programs for determining the effects of pollutants and possible treatments to mitigate them, and a program to assess water quality in the Great Lakes. Esterbrook pen reads along the barrel “THE PRESIDENT – THE WHITE HOUSE”, and holds a 2668 nib. Pen measures 6.25″ long, housed in original presentation box. Near fine condition. Sold for $1,300.
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.
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my John F. Kennedy memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your John F. Kennedy memorabilia at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement for your review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days post auction.
What factors determine the value of John F. Kennedy memorabilia?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition, document type and subject matter/ historical content.