COLLECTING CAMELOT: THE KENNEDY LEGACY EXCEPTIONAL AUCTION RESULTS ARE IN

COLLECTING CAMELOT:  THE KENNEDY LEGACY    EXCEPTIONAL AUCTION RESULTS ARE IN

Collecting Camelot: The Kennedy Legacy Auction Results

Our Collecting Camelot: The Kennedy Legacy Part 1 auction delivered an outstanding performance, with strong engagement across every category. Collectors responded to a wide range of autographs, photographs, artwork, ephemera, and artifacts connected to John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, and the Kennedy family. Many pieces came from notable sources including the Chester Clifton Papers, the estate of Father Ronald Hoskins, the Robert L. White Museum Collection, Evelyn Lincoln’s personal collection, Cecil Stoughton’s photographic archive, and the Dave Powers estate.The impressive results highlight the continued interest in Kennedy history and the trust consignors place in JG Autographs, Inc. to present and care for meaningful material. 

Part 1 of the Collecting Camelot auction also garnered attention in the broader historical-collectibles community, receiving coverage from CLLCT.com. Their analysis highlighted one of the sale’s most compelling outcomes: a letter authored by George de Mohrenschildt, a peripheral yet historically consequential figure in Lee Harvey Oswald’s orbit, which realized $6,215 against an initial estimate of $125–$150. The article underscored the market's interest in primary-source materials connected to the Kennedy era. Read the full article: "Lee Harvey Oswald connection drives up price for obscure letter"

This first installment sets the stage for a Part Two opening next month, opening on January 20, 2025. Register to bid now!

Highlight Sales

Lot #14: Lee Harvey Oswald – Addressed from the USSR – 1961 Handwritten Envelope to Senator John Tower
Estimate: $4500–$6000
Sold: $6125 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Lee Harvey Oswald hand-addressed and autographed envelope, 8.5 x 3.75”, sent from Minsk, USSR, and addressed to: “U.S.A. / To: Washington D.C. / Texas Senator John G. Tower / c/o Senate Building.”

 


Lot #187: George de Mohrenschildt – Lee Harvey Oswald Acquaintance & Warren Commission Figure – Signed Letter
Estimate: $125–$150
Sold: $6125 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

George de Mohrenschildt autographed handwritten letter (ALS), dated August 12, 1953, on pictorial stationery from the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, accompanied by the original hand-addressed mailing envelope postmarked August 13, 1953



Lot #5: John F. Kennedy – November 22, 1963 Dallas Visit – Scarce Original Airport Reception Pass
Estimate: $500–$750
Sold: $3375 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

President John F. Kennedy original 3.25 x 2” reception badge for his visit to Dallas on November 22, 1963, reading: “President Kennedy’s Visit to Dallas, November 22, 1963, Airport Reception,” with printed number “No. 645” on the reverse.


Lot #20: Clay Shaw – JFK Assassination Trial Defendant – Remarkable Content Autographed Letter – April 1968
Estimate: $700–$900
Sold: $1750 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Clay Shaw autographed typed letter signed “Clay,” one page, 8.5 x 11”, on his personal letterhead from 1315 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Undated but bearing a pencil notation of April 1968, written just weeks before his federal trial began.


Lot #15: Lee Harvey Oswald – JFK Assassin – Original 1957 Snapshot Photo – Corregidor Philippines
Estimate: $400–$500
Sold: $1625 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Lee Harvey Oswald original 3 x 4.25” glossy candid snapshot photo taken in 1957 while he was stationed at Corregidor in the Philippines, showing a young Oswald standing in military-issue fatigues amid tropical vegetation. Captioned along the lower border in the hand of his mother, Marguerite Oswald: “Corrigor [sic], 1957, Lee.”


Lot #109: John F. Kennedy & PT-109 Crew – Annotated WWII Silver Gelatin Press Photo – Signed by Eddie Drewitch
Estimate: $250–$350
Sold: $1625 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy and fellow PT-109 crew members original 6.75 x 4.75” silver gelatin press photograph, taken in the Russell Islands in June of 1943, showing a young JFK alongside his full crew with visible torpedo tubes on the boat.


Lot #132: Jacqueline Kennedy – Debutante Portrait – 6.5 x 8.5” Original Press Photo – 1947 Society Debut
Estimate: $150–$200
Sold: $1625 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Jacqueline Kennedy original 6.5 x 8.5” glossy silver gelatin press photograph showing a young Jackie Bouvier posed beside a Mercury automobile during her society debut at Newport’s Clambake Club in the summer of 1947.


Lot #254: Frank Sturgis – Alleged JFK Conspiracy Figure – 1962 Fingerprint Card & Licensing Archive
Estimate: $500–$750
Sold: $1500 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Frank Sturgis original FBI fingerprint card, completed and signed in 1962 as part of his application for a bail bond runner’s license in Florida, accompanied by two xerox copy typed letters by state officials.


Lot #10: John F. Kennedy Jr. – Autographed Amtrak Ticket – Boston to New York – December 13, 1993
Estimate: $500–$750
Sold: $1218.75 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy Jr. autographed Amtrak train ticket from December 13, 1993, for travel from Boston South Station to New York Penn Station. The ticket, issued for one unreserved coach fare, bears Kennedy’s bold ink signature across the top left. Reverse side features standard Amtrak branding: “ALL ABOARD AMTRAK.”


Lot #57: John F. Kennedy – Handwritten Speech Notes – 1960 Campaign Banquet "Infected Throat"
Estimate: $500–$700
Sold: $968.75 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy handwritten speech notes, unsigned, penned in blue ballpoint pen on a folded 6 x 5” sheet. The sheet is inscribed to “William D. McClellan, Chairman Board of County Comm., Penn Sheraton Hotel, Banquet Chairman.” The note reads: “You will explain my infected throat? And that my brother Ted will speak for me” with additional dashed off notation to the left of his message “Ted 1 1/2 min:.”


Lot #17: Marina Oswald – Autographed Check with & FBI Letter – Just 4 Days After the JFK Assassination
Estimate: $600–$750
Sold: $906.25 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Marina Oswald autographed personal check dated November 26, 1963, just four days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the arrest of her husband, Lee Harvey Oswald. The check is made out to “Mrs. Oswald” in the amount of $5.00 and signed by Miriam L. Stapleton of Washington state.


John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy & Lem Billings – 3.75 x 3” 1st Generation Photo of Youthful Trio
Estimate: $400–$500
Sold: $906.25 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy & Lem Billings original 3.75 x 3” first generation candid snapshot photograph, taken during their youth aboard a boat, likely in Hyannisport.


Lot #140: Jacqueline Kennedy at JFK Funeral – Arlington Cemetery – Stoughton 7 x 5” First Generation Photo
Estimate: $250–$350
Sold: $875 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Jacqueline Kennedy first generation 7 x 5” color photograph, depicting her solemn visit to President John F. Kennedy’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery during a snowy winter memorial.


Lot #45: John F. Kennedy – Sterling Silver Tribute Tray – Burning Tree Club Spring Party, 1961
Estimate: $125–$150
Sold: $781.25 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy sterling silver scalloped-edge serving tray measuring approximately 9 x 5 inches, presented to him in tribute at the Burning Tree Club’s “Spring Party” on May 20, 1961. The engraving reads:
BURNING TREE CLUB / SPRING PARTY / Honoring / PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY / May 20, 1961 / THANK YOU / JOE KIRKWOOD


Lot #7: John F. Kennedy – Assassination Day Motorcade – Vintage Period 5 x 3.25” Photo – Dallas, Nov. 22, 19
Estimate: $450–$500
Sold: $656.25 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy original 5 x 3.25” color candid photograph capturing the President and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy riding through downtown Dallas in the presidential limousine on the morning of November 22, 1963—the day of JFK’s assassination.


Lot #118: Jacqueline Kennedy – Autographed Typed Letter Sent to Dave Powers dated July 5, 1989 with Envelope
Estimate: $400–$500
Sold: $612.50 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Jacqueline Kennedy autographed typed letter signed “Jackie,” dated July 5, 1989, on her personal 1040 Fifth Avenue stationery. Addressed to longtime friend and White House aide Dave Powers, Kennedy thanks him for sending along a Pat McMahon article and pens a large handwritten note across the letter in blue ink: “Dearest Dave – I hope you are tanned, fit and confident too – no one deserves it more – much love, Jackie.”


Lot #81: John F. Kennedy with Father Joseph P. Kennedy & Brothers Ted & Robert – 1961 Original 5 x 7” Photo
Estimate: $150–$200
Sold: $512.50 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy original 5 x 7” Kodacolor photograph, depicting the future president smiling beside his father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., and younger brothers Robert F. Kennedy and Edward “Ted” Kennedy in a lighthearted domestic moment—standing beneath a “Beware of Bear” sign in what appears to be a Kennedy family home. Dated September 1961 on verso.


Lot #211: James Jeffries – Secret Service Memo Appointing Clint Hill to Jackie Kennedy Detail – April 13, 1961
Estimate: $250–$350
Sold: $500 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

Typed Secret Service memorandum dated April 13, 1961, signed by ATSAIC (Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge) James G. Jeffries, appointing Special Agent Clint Hill to assume responsibility for security detail of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and her children during Jeffries’ annual leave from April 15 through May 2, 1961.


Lot #38: John F. Kennedy – White House Invitation Card – November 20, 1963 Reception
Estimate: $50–$75
Sold: $400 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy official White House invitation card, extending an invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas for a reception at The White House on Wednesday evening, November 20, 1963, at 6:30 p.m.


Lot #39: John F. Kennedy – 54th Transportation Battalion Dinner Program – Presidential Seal Cover
Estimate: $50–$75
Sold: $200 (*Includes Buyers Premium)

John F. Kennedy official dinner menu program from the 54th Transportation Battalion, housed in an elegant folding card with striking gold tassel and embossed cover seal of the President of the United States.

As we prepare future installments of the Collecting Camelot series, we are actively accepting consignments of John F. Kennedy–related artifacts, collectibles, ephemera, and more, and would be happy to discuss any items you may be considering for auction.


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