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

Has anyone considered doing a book about the last autographs of famous individuals?

The last official act of Robert E. Lee as president of Lee university was sign a carte d'visit of himself for a young girl admirer who met him on the steps of the university as he was leaving for the day. Within hours, Lee had a stroke and didn't survive long.

What was the last thing FDR signed?

Supposedly JFK's last in-person signature was on a newspaper handed to him on the morning of his death by a member of the housekeeping crew at the hotel he was staying at. I think it later sold for for $80,000+.

What was the last document/autograph signed by Elvis Presely?

Compiling such a book I'm sure would require a herculean effort. Besides, how could you track down the person at the Ambassador Hotel for whom RFK quickly scribbled his autograph within minutes of being shot.

1 member likes this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Garrett Meadows on March 31, 2023 at 7:55pm

That has got to be one of the most shameful acts of unconscionable exploitation I've ever read about it. Instead of trying to bring some comfort to the dying George Harrison, he saw it as an opportunity to take advantage of a sick and dying man for his own personal gain.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Garrett Meadows on March 31, 2023 at 7:54am

believe me, if I had the resources, I'd love to write such a book.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JK on April 7, 2023 at 6:00pm

Back I 1993 I wrote to author John Hersey to ask if he would autograph a book for me. He sent me a note declining my request due to a "turn in his health". A couple weeks later he passed away. :(

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Garrett Meadows on April 8, 2023 at 11:36am

Still, you go an exemplary note AND signature.

I'm sorry I didn't develop an interest in autograph collecting earlier in life--I'm 63 now. If I had started when I was in my twenties, my heavens, just think of the great authors, painters, actors, and notables who ere still living 40 years ago?

You gotta strike while the iron is hot, especially with those notables in their eighties and nineties.