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JFK autograph in second hand bookstore

Hello. I don't know if this is the correct place for this but as I was looking through an old second hand bookstore I found the book "Profiles in Courage" by JFK. The first page had a small message with an autograph on it. Could this be JFK's writing? I bought it for 2 euros so I certainly hope so

Tags: Autograph, JFK

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Attachments: No photo uploads here

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Permalink Reply by James on February 20, 2018 at 1:51am

I'm not sure exactly what explains the wide variation in JFK's signatures, but he had so many variations over time that it is rather bewildering.  It has been said that Kennedy could sign five consecutive items and all five might look as though they were signed by five different people.  Fortunately, Yorick's example is shown to be authentic in Charles Hamilton's book on JFK autographs. It is also fortunate that the non-signature parts of JFK's handwriting had more consistency than his signature.  

I think it was Charles Hamilton, the great student of JFK autographs, who claimed that JFK's autograph was the most complex in history!

And yes, it is always best to get multiple opinions!

Permalink Reply by Yorick on February 20, 2018 at 1:44am

So what do you think this could be worth? It says in the book that it's out of the congressional library

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 20, 2018 at 1:49am

Do you mean the information was gathered from the Congressional Library by Kennedy/Sorensen?

Permalink Reply by Yorick on February 20, 2018 at 1:52am

I'll take a picture give me a minute

Permalink Reply by Yorick on February 20, 2018 at 1:57am

Here are some more pictures

Attachments: No photo uploads here
Permalink Reply by James on February 20, 2018 at 1:57am

If it's a first edition, first printing, it's going to be worth significantly more than my $2500-$3000 estimate, I believe.

Permalink Reply by Yorick on February 20, 2018 at 1:58am

I put up some more pictures James. Could you take a look at them? I appreciate your help a lot

Permalink Reply by James on February 20, 2018 at 2:09am

I don't think it's a first edition. It says L-F, and I don't believe that signifies first edition.  I think it's a later printing, but, assuming the book is in decent condition, it should be worth probably around $3000.  If you're planning to sell it, you might get a little less or perhaps even a little more.  I've seen some Senate letters go for more than $2000, and in general, I think a signed copy of "Profiles" is more desirable than a letter...depending on a letter's content.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 20, 2018 at 2:09am

It lacks the wording "First Edition" and the printing/date code "M-E" (December 1955) so perhaps August 1956. First would have a different binding as well. 

Permalink Reply by James on February 20, 2018 at 1:58am

Actually, the upper end is probably closer to $3000, although $3500 would not be out of the question.

Permalink Reply by Yorick on February 20, 2018 at 1:59am

That's also a very large amount of money. What would you do with it?

Permalink Reply by James on February 20, 2018 at 2:13am

For me personally, I would keep it because I'm a JFK fan.  But if you want to make some money, go ahead and sell it.  If you do want to sell it, you might get more money if you have an LOA from PSA, JSA, or Beckett.

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