We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks. 

I have a letter signed by JFK on White House stationary. From the best of my knowledge it seems authentic. I can't find any secretarials that match it and its very smooth and flowing. Its one of his "messier" autos. Anyways the problem is that it was laminated by a moron and there is no way to undo the lamination. I was wondering on a value for this as I know it would be decreased since it is laminated. Also if I send it to PSA or JSA will they even authenticate lt since its laminated....any help would be much appreciated!!

Views: 507

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Do you have a picture of it? I have a JFK autograph study and might be able to help.

Interesting. Twice in the past couple of weeks I've asked for help on JFK stuff and couldn't get one response. And I sent you a friend request asking for help on a JFK that I have (which I know for sure is real), but was being told it was not authentic by some who have never seen his campaign style signature. Yet you wouldn't accept my friend request, which I stated was for help on JFK. I've been on here since February and have 32 friends, and I've never turned down a friend request. Different strokes I guess.

??? Are you referring to me? If so, I never got any friend request. I have no problem helping.

Well, I apologize, James for sounding a little grumpy. I'm pretty sure I sent it to you, but you probably just didn't notice it. I have done that myself. And then I just ended up withdrawing it. But again, sorry for that. And I had just been getting a little frustrated because no one responded to my requests for help.

I have one that I recently purchased. But I may send it back, which the seller said is fine if I choose to. I'll post a pic and maybe you can take a look. Again, sorry.
Here is a pic of the inscription and signature. I don't think it matches any of Hamilton's secretarials. But it is similar to a secretarial that was pointed out in Reznikoff's YouTube study. However, in that study the middle initial is more like an x with a little loop at the bottom. This one doesn't have that.
Attachments: No photo uploads here
Also, I should point out that there are some very similar to this one that have sold at auction. In fact a similar inscription and autograph sold at Christie's for $5000.

so, do you think the one sold at Christies was genuine?

I don't anymore. I seriously think that it was signed by Jill Cowan. It's amazing how even the so-called experts get fooled about JFK autographs. I have one that JFK signed about two weeks before his election, and I almost think the ones he signed on the campaign trail are the safest bets, because you know that either it's real or a forgery. I mean you know immediately that you can rule out autopen or secretarial. That is why you have to be so careful with letters and photos. Because they COULD BE autopen or secretarial. But if you have something signed like a campaign brochure or poster or just something he could have signed out on the run then you can pretty much rule out autopen and secretarial.

English or American branch?  That is really bad though, although obviously unintentional mistake on their part because I know from the English branch they are so particular- but the staff I know are also so young there.  Where does their knowledge come from if you know what I mean?  No I know you have to be really careful; - been stung a few times and watch out for these new lazer printed forgeries.!!!! 

But in regard to the White House letter, even though I haven't seen it, it might be okay because he actually did sign a lot of his letters while he was President, and I think it's easier to tell, as opposed to some of his Senate letters.

Not a problem. I must not have seen the friend request. For some reason it isn't something that jumps out at you on here. I know I hate when I can't get opinions either.

As far as what you sent me, I hate to tell you, but I am about 99% sure it was signed by Jill Cowen (JFK's secretary known as secretary #15). So it's not a forgery. What you have was in the Kennedy White house. He might have even been in the next room. So its worth something. But its not a real JFK signed item and if you paid any kind of money for it, I'd send it back. See the below image and check out image #203. Do a side by side comparison. If that isn't dead on the same as yours then I don't know what is.

Attachments: No photo uploads here
Oh, wow. You are absolutely right. I will definitely be sending it back. As far as Kennedy stuff goes, I didn't pay that much, $500. The bidding started at $500. I was the only bidder. But so many people are unsure as to what is legit, I at first thought I was getting a super deal. It measures 17"x22".

If you would, maybe you could look at my original discussion titled "John F. Kennedy signed portrait print - please help". I have pictures of some others that are similar, including the one you present here. There is one that sold at Christie's for $5000, and now I think it was signed by Jill Cowan. I think my discussion is on about page 8 of the "Is This Autograph Real?" forum.

There is also book for sale on eBay for $7000 that now I'm sure was signed and inscribed by Jill Cowan. The seller Bookbid of Beverly Hills. I do believe that they think it is authentic as they just used Hamilton's book to authenticate it.

RSS

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2024   Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service