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There are events in our lives that stand out like no others. Most of us in my generation know where we were and what we were doing on Nov. 22, 1963 when we learned that John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
In the hours and days that followed, we lived the tragedy through media coverage of an almost unreal series of events culiminating with his funeral. It consumed our lives and we saved the newspapers and magazines with their black borders and bulletin-sized headlines. Later we bought commemorative items like glassware salt and pepper shakers that we dutifully packed and unpacked whenever we moved.
More recently, high profile estate sales brought us closer to the personal side of JFK when the combs he used, the sunglasses he wore, and even his underwear went up for auction. Prices reached astronomical levels.
But what about the value of everyday JFK items we’ve lived with all these years? Did their values rise as well? Yes and no. Let’s review the JFK collectible market and see why that is.
PERSONAL VALUE: Like any collectible of a significant national event such as the JFK assassination, items directly associated with the person have a higher collector value. If JFK touched it, owned it, gave it away, signed it, displayed it, wore it, bought it, loved it, cared for it, sat in it or visited it, that item is a first-level of collectible and commands a higher value. This is true of any historical figure from George Washington to George W. Bush.
ASSOCIATION VALUE: Items related to his political years of Congress, Senate and White House would have a relatively high level of value based on its proximity to JFK. The sign on the door of his office or on his desk, campaign signs, bumper stickers, schedules and business cards would bring values about half of those associated with items that held personal value.
EVENT VALUE: The newspapers, magazines, the funeral items and any item associated only with the assassination itself, but not a personal link or an-association with JFK, have a third level of value. These are more common items, but limited within a brief time frame.
COMMEMORATIVE VALUE: Glassware, photos, books, jewelry, plates, buttons, posters, recordings, movies, salt and pepper shakers, videos and other items were mass produced and sold to gift outlets well after JFK’s death to keep his memory alive. These commemoratives are quite plentiful and are not considered scarce or even limited. Their value continues to be the lowest in the collectible JFK market.
There are exceptions. For example, a set of keys to his Dallas limousine came to my attention some time ago. However, the keys couldn’t be verified as authentic and so the value dropped to about $10. Who knows how much they could have been worth? The keys would have had an event value, but an unusual one, so its value could be more significant than a normal event item.
Naturally, condition plays an important role, too. A personal item, such as a book in very poor condition, still would command a higher value because of its personal connection, but not as high as it could have been.
It may seem odd or a bit unseemly to consider JFK in the context of collectibles. After all, many of us remember his life and his tragic assassination with deep emotion. You might well have carried some of that attachment to your special JFK items nearly 45 years after his death. But like stocks, bonds, and real estate, our collectibles eventually need to be evaluated as to their investment value, too.
If you know where your item fits within the JFK collectible world, the better you’ll understand its value and the value of your collection overall.
Tags: George W. Bush, John F. Kennedy, political memorabilia, president, presidential memorabilia, Tom Carrier, White House
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Tom Carrier,
I tried to contact you, but was unable to do so.
I have an Inauguration Album. It is the 33′ size and it is difficult to find a turn table these days so have not been able to hear it.
It is in perfect condition. Have no idea of it’s value.
Would you be interested?
binkydee7@yahoo.com
Brenda Shelton
i liked jfk….my grandmother saved alot of his stuff magz covers pics papers too……
I have some JFK items my deceased father-in-law from Boston left me. They are two photo-electrostatic copies of letters to the deceased from JFK’s personal secretary, Mrs. Evelyn Lincoln. They are in reference to assistance my late father-in-law made to JFK regarding aid to disabled people. I also have an enlarged 35mm black and white photo print of the three Kennedy brothers (circa late ’50′s , early ’60′s) standing (close up) shoulder to shoulder. Would you be interested in purchasing these items? I know they are of some value.
Thank you;
LEH
To Louis:
Copies of letters have only sentimental value to the family, I’m afraid. What happened to the originals? A personally signed letter by Evelyn Lincoln has a value from $20 to $40 depending on the content of the letter.
The value of the photo depends on its context. Is it a professionally produced photo for the White House, was it a photo shot for a news event, perhaps it was a pose for a magazine or newspaper article, or maybe just a commercially produced one for resale as a souvenir. If it was a personal shot from an individual’s camera, then it could be more interesting. Who can say without looking at it to be sure. My feeling is that the enlargement by itself would have only an ephemera value to a collector, perhaps $10 to $15. Do you also have the negative? That might make a bit of difference.
As a Worthologist, I can’t buy items I evaluate, so I might refer you to WorthPoint’s Buy and Sell Board as a way to sell your items.
All the best. Tom
what would be the value or significance of the the flag that had thee presidential seal that was on the car when JFK was killed
Matt: Over the years there have been several times when a family has said that they have a personal presidential item attributed to the limousine JFK was riding in Dallas in 1963. One collector provided a set of keys said to belong to the car itself. However, the chain of provenance couldn’t be definitively proven and so the keys had no collectible value.
That would be the same question I would have to ask you. Can you definitely trace the flag back to the limousine in Dallas through paper records. True, many Secret Service, FBI, and local police officers were just given items at the time, like the set of keys, but because it couldn’t be positively proven to have come from the car, a collector may buy them only as a curiousity, not for its true value.
There were a set of flags that were definitively identified as coming from the car in Dallas auctioned from the Robert White collection several years ago for about $450,000 the set (includes the US and presidential flag). He was a well known JFK items collector and had the provenance of these flags to prove it. However, as with the keys, there are several other sets of flags used on the car as well. Could that be one of yours? If you can prove it.
Hope this helps. Tom
As of now I do onot have any documentation that could prove it although I know it is from the car JFK was riding in in Dallas. The story of it is, My father was in the army and stationed at the white house garage at the time. The car came straight to him and another man once it got back to D.C.. I’m sure, by looking up some old White House logs, it could be traced back to the very car that JFK was assasinated in. The Flag has not left his possesion since he got it. He said the man that was with him got the American Flag, and that he was able to prove it. He regretted not doing what was needed to authenticate it.
Matt: Unfortunately, the late Robert White estate has already sold the actual flags that were on the JFK presidential car in Dallas in 1963. The final bid was about $140,000 or so. It was known that several sets of flags existed for the presidential limousine then and perhaps you may have another set. However, without documentation, or provenance, what you have is a set of presidential flags with a value of about $1200 or so. The story just doesn’t add more than that, I’m afraid. All the best.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
Tom,
I have an original 1961 government printed picture of the Ask not speech with Kennedy’s picture on it. Is it worth being restored? It has some smoke stains? on it. It’s been in my parents posessions since I can remember. Thanks
Brenda: Your “Ask Not” commemorative from the GPO (Government Printing Office) is not worth restoring. Because so many of the items were printed and sent out to anyone who requested one, there are entirely too many still available. Without actually seeing the item, I would have to suggest it has more sentimental value than a monetary one, that is, less than $5.
Thanks for asking the question.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
Just a question I know where you said newspapers fall on the list but what if you have a copy of every newspaper ever written on JFK from election to death. My grandmother collected and kept all of them.
Christina:
If your grandparents collected every newspaper that referenced JFK from “election to death” meaning from November 1960 until his assassination in November 1963, you have quite a collection to dispose of.
Within that group of newspapers, there would be the first mention of sending “advisors” to Vietnam, a war begun with Dwight Eisenhower, but nevertheless expanded by JFK while in office. The new program called the Peace Corps would have had a mention and so many other newsworthy events such as the pledge to “..send a man to the moon and return him safely to the earth…before the decade is out”, the 40th anniversary of which we just celebrated.
Still, what could they be worth as a whole? Hard to say, since so many individual newspapers were printed and continue to survive today. Separately, any individual newspaper would have a retail value of between $1 and $3 at the very most, depending on content, but sold mostly for its curious advertising content. The ones mentioning the assassination could each have a higher value, but not by much unless they were the early editions of the newspapers from Dallas.
Selling them individually online is probably the key to making more on the collection overall. But that brings in the added headache of registering each item, writing the content, taking photos, monitoring the auction, securing the payment, and then shipping the item, all to be done to the satisfaction of someone else. If you have the werewithal to do all that, it could be worth it over time, but you probably won’t get even minimum wage for the effort you’ve expended.
Of course, you could just sell the entire collection as a lot, too, with just one shipping cost.
Or, donate the collection, to the library, to a museum, to a JFK club, to a classroom journalism class, but understand that the collection will have to be broken up to hang on to the “good stuff.”
I once had a large collection of newspapers and magazines with significant front page stories. Some I had framed as a source of interest, but most just sitting in a large box that I moved from place to place. It became too difficult to continuously maintain these items, especially as so many other ‘newsworthy’ events kept piling up. And the long term value of ‘newsworthy’ wasn’t very high.
In short, keep the ones you like and either sell off the rest piecemeal (if you have the time), as one lot (but don’t expect very much more than gas money), donate them (but they probably won’t be kept either), or recycle them. I say all of this without the sentimental value your grandparents invested in collecting them. That has value, too.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
Carol:
There are many different versions of the mass card attributed to the funeral mass of JFK. Many churches across the country printed their own card and so there are many variations. The value of each of these cards wouldn’t exceed $10 in good condition.
The official mass card approved by Jackie Kennedy, however, has a slightly higher value in good condition, around $10 to $20 or so. It featured JFK in a 3/4 profile with a black border like this one found on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/President-John-F-Kennedy-Wash-DC-Mass-card-JFK-1963_W0QQitemZ300342111882QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45edc8ee8a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a mass card from JFK’s funeral. Should I hold on to it or is it worth something?
Tom,
I have an envelope used from the Kennedy presidency (back when the president actually sent letters in an inter office type envelope). It is addressed to the president of the Senate from POTUS. It has a wax seal on the back that is still intact, but the envelope was opened at the top with a letter opener. Any idea of its value? It came to me from a retired Senate guard who obtained it many years ago.
Thanks!
I have a slide taken by my grandparents of JFK waving to them at a conference. Not sure which conference, but I was just curious if it was worth anything.
Lysette:
Generally, no, slides or photographs of presidents or candidates on the campaign trail or at special events taken with personal cameras have any significant value in the collectible market (the current celebrity market notwithstanding). They would have more sentimental value, though, and that’s still something.
However, it does depend on the circumstances, too. If the image includes something of an historical nature, then personal images would enter the collectible market more easily. Think the Zapruder film. Under ordinary circumstances, the Zapruder film would have had only a curiousity value, not the historical value it has since become. Again, circumstances of the image matters.
Since I haven’t seen the image, if it is only of JFK smiling and waving from a distance, it would have an interest to a JFK collector, certainly, but it doesn’t come with a particularly high market value, say less than a few dollars. If the image was more of a closeup, then it could have a bit more value.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
Ken: For official photos of a particular day and time, check with the presidential library. If a photo exists of the welcoming ceremony, their archives will have it.
All the best.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I was in the Air Force and was selected to be an Air Police honor guard for JFK on Nov. 21, 1963. I am trying to find photos of JFK at Kelly AFB when he was departing after the dedication at Brooks medical center. If there are any photos that were taken on the flight line that afternoon there is a slim chance I might be in them. Does anyone know where I might find photos from that day?
Ken,
I have a few snapshots of JFK taken I believe at Kelly AFB a few days before he was killed. They are of great quality and my Mom took them. I don’t know if he was arriving or departing? I was actually researching them when I found this website. Let me know if you are still around and would like to see them.
Robert Williams
Robert,
I would be very interested in seeing them. JFK was at Kelly AFB the day before he was killed. I stood about 5 feet from him and thought I was going to get to shake his hand but his security staff grabbed him and took him to his plane. If you could e-mail them to me at kenj2863@yahoo.com that would be great!!!
Thank you.
I found a flasher button at work in a pile of stone dust. Its about half an inch round an flashes J.F.K. face and then the American flag. Its in very good condition and was wondering if it may have any value to it Thanks Frank Dunn
Frank:
The flasher buttons of the era were usually made by Vari-Vu, a company based in Mt. Vernon, NY that specialized in these types of buttons. They are no longer in business, but other companies have followed in their tradition since then.
Your button is an unusual size. Most are in the 2 to 2 1/2 inch range. Your design is a bit unusual, too. JFK with an background of an American flag would be a great design.
These types of buttons have to be in very good condition to be of any interest to collectors and most of these types were scratched or don’t ‘flash’ as they were intended.
All things being equal, without seeing it, I would have to guess that your button may certainly have a value of $25 to $50. Depending on the actual design, condition and other factors that can only be evaluated ‘in person’, so to speak, the value can be higher to a collector.
Thanks for the question.
I have a framed picture not professionally done that includes in it a cigar, a matchbook that says The Presidents House, a postcard of I believe the Red Room, a placement marker of Mr. Paul Lee, a luncheon card with a seal on it of some sort with the menu not printed in English, dated Friday October 20, 1961, and two pictures. The pictures have 18 people in them including JFK. The pictures measure 8 by 9. Mr. Lee was my hubands grandfather and he was a circulation manager of Hollywood news or Hollywood times.He is also in the pictures. I would like to know the value of this mini collection of a one day event, and if I can somehow find out the individuals in the pictures and what they did. Thank you for your time and hopeful answers. Sheryl
Sheryl:
What you have, it seems, is a collection of memorabilia from a State dinner at the White House. The menu card, place card and matches are all reminiscent of a formal White House dinner and still are.
I don’t know about the cigar. Knowing JFK, its possible it was given to guests, mainly men, who attended. Hard to say unless the cigar has a special wrapping around it that says the White House or has the presidential coat-of-arms or seal on it.
JFK items have continued to bring higher prices as years go by. With the place card, menu and matchbook, the value could be $95 to $195 altogether. I don’t know what to do about the cigar without seeing it close up. If it has a seal on it, well, that could be another $75 to $125. These are retail prices, of course, and are not based on a close examination and condition.
To determine the people in the photos, talk directly to the JFK Library and give them the date that you have. They can determine who was invited to that dinner.
A very nice collection. If you plan to keep them, though, they should be carefully removed from the generic frame and placed in an acid free matting and backing if you want to frame them again. If not, place the items in an acid free box and keep in a cool, dry place preferably on an inside wall, not one that faces to the outdoors.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a Jaqueline Kennedy sympathy appreciation reply note exactly like the one you have pictured above. How much is that worth? I also have a newspaper cut out of Pres. Kennedy’s picture. Typed above the picture: ‘That was the week that was The British Broadcasting Corporation’s Tribute to John Fitzgerald Kennedy’ and then below the picture is ‘The BBC Telecast Saturday November 23, 1963. What is this small clipping worth?
Hi my father in law gave me a book by the Kansas City Star that covers the whole assassination and in the cover there were several pictures of JFK and his family and even one with LBJ and him they are real pictures not copies and I was wondering if they are worth anything? I also have one of the original newspapers that was published after his death.
i have a 4 set 1966 1st print memorial miniature box set
i have a 4 set memorial miniature book set from random house 1st edition
Robin:
I’m sorry, you’re right, somehow I missed your question completely. My apologies.
Depending on their overall condition of each of the four books, Wisdom, Eulogies, Inaugural Address, Wit, the books and the slipcase itself, the value seem to be, on average, of about $20 to $40 the set.
There are some sets selling up to $60, but that seems to be rather high no matter the condition. There are quite a few also selling for $7 to $15 a set, but the condition of the books are usually in poor to fair condition.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have two unused tickets and the invitation to a Democratic Workers Rally Oct 19 1962 in Chicago. All items are almost perfect. Any value?
Robert:
Unless there is something that makes the rally somehow historically significant or are signed by JFK or some other notable, the tickets and invitation are referred to as ephemera. Interesting, but without much retail value.
Usually, you will find these types of paper items in a box labelled for as little as $1 each. For collectors, though, sometimes this type of ephemera can help round out a specific type of collection, but I wouldn’t consign them to Ebay, for example.
I can suggest that perhaps you donate them to a school or local fundraiser as a silent auction item to help bring some additional funds to the work they do in the community.
Every little bit helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a newspaper from ‘Inside the Turret’ a Ft. Knox military paper dated 11/29/63 The memory of JFK. Is it worth anything. Also i have The Courier Journal newspaper release of Oswald being fatally shot in the fron natioal television. are thes papers worth anything?
Jacie:
Most of the newspapers ever printed have relatively little value by themselves and that includes those from the 18th century as well.
Only those with national or historic significance do well as collectibles such as ‘Dewey Defeats Truman’, the issue featuring the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, that kind of importance.
Most of the 99.5% of all the rest are curiousities and nothing more with a relative value of between $2 and $10. Yours fall into this category.
Still, they do tell a story beyond just the headlines. A lot of local history is carried by these papers through its advertisements, births, deaths, and local concerns. Donate them to a local library for use in their local history sections.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a Jaqueline Kennedy sympathy appreciation reply note exactly like the one you have pictured above. How much is that worth? It was passed onto me by a grandparent.
Thanks!
-DF
i didnt rec answer 4mini book box set from random house 1st edition u answed guy under me about tickets
Going through a lot of my dads “junk” we came across a bunch of newspapers from the day after JFK assassination. From Twin Cities, Eau Claire, WI, Seattle, etc. They were all kept fairly well, but definately have time damage. It was really neat to see the newspapers, there were many other newspapers from other monumental times in our history. I wonder who in my family took the time and effort to save these… because my dad says it wasn’t him.
Though I read that these such newspapers aren’t worth much at all, it was still really neat to see! I guess if anyone has an estimate on cost, please let me know! Thanks!
In 1963 I was in 3rd grade and wrote a letter to President Kennedy about an issue.
I recevied a letter back on White House stationary type written and signed by Evelyn Lincoln.
Just wondered what it is worth, if anything. Its in very good shape. I have the envelope too.
Thanks!
Loretta,
Evelyn Lincoln was, of course, the private secretary to John F. Kennedy throughout his career, first in the Senate in 1953 and through his time in the White House until his assassination in 1963. She collected and disbursed JFK memorabilia until her death in 1995.
Of all the personal secretaries to the president, Lincoln was probably more devoted to her president than any other. Rose Mary Woods, for example, is well known as personal secretary to Richard Nixon primarily for her convoluted explanation as how she erased a crucial 18 1/2 minutes of audio tape pertaining to Watergate. John Hay wrote about his time as secretary to Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
The very mention of their names conjures up images of the men they served. And so anything associated with them is noteworthy as well such as their correspondence, like yours.
However well known they are, they still don’t come close to garnering a lot for their personal items such as their signature. Evelyn Lincoln’s signature may have a bit higher value than some others, but it is still within the $15 to $35 range, depending on the subject matter of the correspondence or item.
There is something to be said for sentimental and educational value, though. If you have young children around you, frame the letter as a reminder that anyone can reach the office of the president and be recognized for it, even at a young age.
Who knows how that might inspire.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
i have a photo of JFK riding in his presidential car in Fort Sill,Ok original photo is it worth anything
I have the type program from the funeral. I’ve been trying to find out what that kind of item would be worth.
I have an large box of original material from the time of the assassination if anyone is interested.
I have a framed picture of JFK which I know was a common photo where he faces forward with his hands on his lap and the American flag to the right. But inside this frame in the lower righthand corner a newspaper clipping was placed with a photo of JFK when he was a senator and there is a signature across this newspaper clipping. This was recovered from my wifes grandmothers home. her grandfather was involved in politics on the local level and was good friends with the local mayor who I have seen in many photos with JFK so I believe her grandfather must have met him at some point while he was with the mayor. I would love to know what the value that this signature would bring in. Any help is appreciated.
Joe:
As a local Democratic activist myself, I can understand that proximity to elected officials brings small, special favors like an autograph the official wouldn’t give to anyone else.
JFK was just such an elected official. He rarely signed his name, even on official documents.
So, it is possible you have an authentic JFK signature. Without actually having a photo of it, I can’t be sure, of course, but if an accredited autograph dealer can authenticate it as JFK’s, then the value could be anywhere from $350 to $500, more if it was on an official document or photo.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I had the honor of serving aboard the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. DD 850, in 1962 the president JFK and his wife and family came aboard to view the Americas Cup Races at this time I was able to take a few photos of them during a presentation of a replica of our ship
I would like to know if you would be interested in purchasing them or if you would have any suggestions which would help me in the sale of them?
Jerry:
I’m assuming that these photos are ones taken with your personal camera. If so, the collectible market for personal photos of presidential events just isn’t very high unless the photos were taken during a particularly historic event such as Dallas.
Even with my time at the White House in the early 90s, so many others have taken personal photos of presidents that there are just too many out there to be collectible. Perhaps a collector would find the candid shots of some interest, but even so the value wouldn’t be very high.
As a Worthologist and evaluator, I cannot buy items myself. You might want to consider selling them on WorthPoint’s Buy and Sell Classifieds. Since I don’t know how many you have or what the images look like, I can’t possibly tell you their value.
Still, your photos have great sentimental value to your family and they should be considered a part of your family history, too.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a memo from the labor and public welfare committee signed by JFK, while he was in the Senate. How do I authintcate it and if it real whats it worth?
Stephen:
It is accepted wisdom when collecting JFK that he hardly ever signed anything himself, even as an elected official. That’s what he had Evelyn Lincoln for, it is said.
Still, it is possible that he signed an official memo as a committee member. Only an autograph specialist expert in the signatures of JFK can know for sure. You can find one from the UACC at uacc.info to start.
An authenticated JFK signature has a value from $750 to $1500 depending on content.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have several original photographs taken fresh off the Daily News print shop during the years of JFK’s Presidency. My Grandfather, God rest him, worked there for years and when the photographers did not use all the pictures they would usually toss them; my grandfather was smart enough to grab most. I also have some of Jackie O as well.
If you would like to see pics, I can email them.
Let me know if these are worth anything to you as I am trying to pay for a grand Irish wedding!
Hi Tom,
I have letter on JFK’s Senate letterhead dated 1953 in which he writes to tell my grandmother how he enjoyed meeting her at a recent ceremony opening an Army Lab.
I also have the envelope it was sent in. The signature on the letter does not match the one used on the postage spot on the envelope, which leads me to think that the letter itself was not signed by an autopen.
Any idea of value if the signature is by him, and also how I could get this authenticated? Thanks!
Janeen:
If the signature on the letter doesn’t match the one on the envelope (which is the official signature to qualify for the free frank privilege), the one on the letter was signed either by autopen or by his secretary, Evelyn Lincoln. Since it isn’t original, it’s value would then be in the $10 to $20 range depending on content.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
Hi, my dad has the set of collectable jfk cards black and white ones, missing 3 out of the whole set. How much could he get for them?
Jen:
The cards you’re referring are a black and white series of cards the size of playing cards that feature the life of Jack and Jackie Kennedy in photos on one side and text on the reverse. If I remember, there were about 75 cards or so in the entire set. But there were many different series of them as well, some sold in decks others sold in elaborate boxes.
Many sets of these cards were produced and so the value for a complete set would be in the $50 to $95 a set range. Individual cards have been known to sell for $3 to $5 each.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
What is the value of th newspaper clipping on Jfennedy newspaper aticle, what is the value o tis clipping?
Donna:
There is no significant monetary value of a newspaper clipping about John F. Kennedy.
In the past, I have had newspaper clippings about the John Tyler’s presidential campaign in 1840, but the clipping was in the form of an announcement that included a poem. That was significant enough, even without the entire newspaper, to have a value of about $35.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a photo of the President and Mrs. Kennedy and Gov and Mrs. Connolly in the limo at some point in time before the assassination (obviously). The picture is in rather rough condition and I will scan and e-mail for you to take a look at if you’d want to see it. My wife says its a reproduction, but it’s been in my family for years and the people I could ask are now deceased. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank You.
During Sept. of 1960, then Senator Kennedy campaigned in a small OH town. My greatgrandmother and grandmother met him, and he signed a Democratic Ohio Congressional candidate’s campaign hat. The hat is in excellent condition. We’re not sure if we should investigate selling it once the signature is authenticated, or perhaps donating it to a local museum. Thank you for your time.
Lissa:
JFK, as a rule, hardly ever actually signed anything on his own, even official documents. That’s a given for collectors. Still, campaign items are a different matter. Yours appears very promising.
It is worth getting an official appraisal from a licensed appraiser, but get one that deals with political items, particularly one familiar with the many facets of a JFK autograph. To find one go to an association such as the UACC(Universal Autograph Collectors Club)at UACC.org. Don’t get a free appraisal or evaluation. They aren’t worth the price.
Authenticated JFK signatures have ranged from $750 to $2500, depending on the item and its historic value. One of my videos for WorthPoint dealt with our appearance at the 2008 Democratic Convention where we evaluated political items nearby. One visitor brought in a signed program bearing the signatures of JFK and Jackie, one of the rare times both signatures appear together. It had a value of $1000 to $1500 at the time.
By all means, follow through with an appraisal even for a donation. You will still get the tax benefit and perhaps a small museum will get more visitors.
All the best this 4th of July.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have several magazines (in perfet condition) ranging from his assination to Bobby’s death. Mostly Time life, Look mgazines… again PERFECT CONDITION. I have many with other topics.
hello there,
I have an old inauguration pin of president kennedy. it is quite large round about 5 inches end to end. Is it worth anything ??
Wally:
Without seeing the pin itself, I will have to assume it was one of so many souvenir inaugural buttons sold by vendors during the inauguration. Most of buttons have a value of between $3 and $10. Since your button is oversize, the value would be about $15 to $20, depending on its graphics, its condition, and its scarcity.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a hand written note from JFK Jr. while working for him at his magazine – anyne know what that might be worth
Frank:
JFK, Jr. was well known because he was related to someone who was well known, so while his signature has value it isn’t in the same realm as his more famous father.
WorthPoint shows a signed JFK, Jr. signature card being auctioned for $75 in 2006. A completely handwritten letter probably has a value of $75 to $125, depending on the content.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have a postcard of kennedy gravesite arlington national cemetary do you know much that would be worth?
I have a JFK funeral card , how much would it be worth ?
Jessica:
There isn’t one funeral card, but several of them. Each Catholic church produced their own individual mass card for the national funeral and so there are any number of different ones out there.
There is, however, only one ‘official’ one, a card with a 3/4 profile of JFK chosen by Jackie Kennedy herself. That is the one most collectors prefer.
Without seeing the one you have, I’ll assume that it is one of the general mass cards, rather than the ‘official’ one. The value, depending on condition, would have a retail value of $10 to $20. The ‘official’ one, again depending on condition, would have a value of $35 to $50.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I was wondering if a thank-you card with a hand-written envelope with Mrs. Kennedy’s signature on the envelope is of any value?
Thank-you
Sammie:
I’m assuming your card is a thank you card that was sent from the White House to those who expressed their condolences in writing. The envelope would have been hand addressed by White House staff, but the frank (where the stamp would be) would be a printed version of Jackie Kennedy’s signature. A printed signature instead of a stamp is a privilege extended to former president’s and first ladies (and members of Congress).
In good condition, the card and envelope together would have a better value than if the card was alone, which is usually the case. This one example found in WorthPoint Price Guide showed an envelope and card together sold at auction for $60: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/jackie-kennedy-condolence-thank-you-card
The general retail value is generally $45 to $60 as a set and about $35 for the card alone.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have an invitation to JFK’s inauguration? is it worth anything?
A friend who does not have internet access asked me to find out the approximate value of a unique and original photo his father snapped of JFK as he was exiting a home in Kingston, MA during a campaign for State office in the 1950s. The photo is B&W, about 6″ X 9″. I took a digital photo of the original that I could send you. Any tips on how to proceed would be appreciated.
Peter:
These kinds of memorabilia can be a little tricky to evaluate when you can’t see them. Mostly, though, personal photos taken of presidents have very little to no collector value, unless it is part of an historic moment.
A photo taken of the motorcade in Dallas in 1963 qualifies as important, a close up of JFK at his desk in the Oval Office or with another head of state, for example, may also qualify as collectible.
The photo you have would be curious, but not necessarily collectible. Still, a JFK collector would still probably like the photo enough to add to his collection for about $10 to $25, depending on quality and condition.
There are many JFK collectors out there that just might have an interest.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have the complete paper from the day Pres. Kennedy was assassinated. I also have about 90% of the paper from the day Ruby shot Oswald. They are both the newspapers out of Dallas. They are not in the greatest shape (they have turned a dingy color from being in a box for 30 years. What would these items be worth?
Anthony:
The Dallas Times Herald or any of the morning newspapers of that day have a higher value than any of the other newspapers printed that day.
According to WorthPoint.com, the newspapers of that day from Dallas have successfully been auctioned for $50 to near $100, depending on condition, edition and newspaper content.
Hope that helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have recently aquired a picture of JFK with Jaqueline Kennedy, a picture of JFK with Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. and a picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. alone. Two of them are framed in what appear to be late 1940′s or early 1950′s pressed tin frames. Do you have any idea how I would go about finding out their worth?
Thank you!
Angela:
Without images of the photos you have, it isn’t possible to know about their value. They certainly aren’t in frames from the 40s as these individuals weren’t particularly well known until the late 50s with souvenir items like these, as I suspect they are, not appearing until the 60s and 70s.
Still, even as souvenir items original to the period, they would probably have a value, depending on condition, of $10 to $20 each.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
Brenda:
I’m sorry I am only now getting to your question.
There is some value to these types of items, but really not very much. There were just entirely too many of them produced. Perhaps in another 100 years. Right now, the value of such a record provided it is in good condition and can still be played [but how?] is about $10 to $15. That is the selling price, although many dealers mark them up to $25 or $30 with the understanding that someone will get a discount. They will probably give you $5 or so for yours.
I don’t have a personal interest in it, but you could use our Buy & Sell Board and list it there for $10. Perhaps someone will find it there.
Hope this helps. Tom
Sure, with the advent of Ebay so much more JFK items have entered the market to such a degree that prices have noticeably dropped. That is, the everyday items like yours have dropped in value. The more personal items have skyrocketed. We just need to be aware of the more unique items that will translate into a higher value collectible.
For example, see my blog about the ‘Evelyn’ coffee mug that may have belonged to JFK’s personal secretary Evelyn Lincoln. It still has to be independently verified, but that is still an unusual find.
I have a pin given to me when I was sixteen from attoney general robert kennedy in his office in washington dc. the pin is a pt 107 boat from jfk iwas wondering if you could tell me someone to contact about it.
Kathleen:
Actually I think you have a PT-109 pin, not a PT-107. This pin is fashioned like the PT boat that JFK skippered in WWII and was the kind he was wounded in action. They were produced for the 1960 campaign and aren’t particularly scarce, but there are specific designs that may have a higher value than others.
Still, the value of any of the PT pins will be from $25 to perhaps $95 each.
However, if you have any specific attribution that RFK gave that to you directly, a letter, autograph with a notation, a photo of him giving it to you, for example, the value could be higher because of its direct association with RFK.
It must have been a great day for you to meet RFK. What a great memory.
All the best.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
I have just inherited alot of collectibles from my family that is a treasure box of at least 200 comic books that are 12 cents and in plastic covers besides that what i recently found was life magazines 3 of which are : life of president jfk issue november 29,1963 with the black frame around life, life magazine of the first lady she tells her plans for the white house september 1st 1961 issue and then the post magazine of in memoriam the new president of jfk december 14, 1963 and a jfk a memorial music album of november 22 1963 also newsweek magazine december 2 1963 of jfk with his side face on the front cover- i have newspapers from 1963 from los angeles times and herald examiner of jfk and the man on the moon i need serious help with getting values of these they are all seriously in mint condition and have no ware to them. please email me your thoughts
Eileen:
Your collection consists of items still readily available and so the value of the magazines and newspapers, even in mint condition, have a retail value of $3 to $10 which means you can expect to receive about half of that from a dealer.
The record album, particularly the memorial one, has a retail value of about $10 to $15.
I can’t speak to the value of the comic book collection. That has a criteria of value completely different from me. Check with Worthologist Matt Baum about those.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist