John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) signed 'President's House' match book nine days prior to his assassination
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An exceptionally rare JFK pencil autograph upon a matchbook of 'The President's House' matches. The autograph was obtained by Fred Holmes - a percussionist with the Black Watch military band - on the 13th November 1963. The Black Watch Band were invited to The White House to perform for President Kennedy, Mrs Kennedy and their two children, Commonwealth ambassadors, their staff and several hundred school children that Mrs Kennedy had especially invited. Following the performance, the band members were allowed to walk around The White House where they could have as much whisky as they liked! After re-alighting the bus to leave The White House, President Kennedy and Dean Rusk, the Secretary of State boarded the vehicle to thank everyone for their performance. At least ten members of the band and including Fred, went straight up to the president asking him to sign anything they had available. When a pen failed to work, Dean Rusk, handed over a propelling pencil for the president to sign this matchbook. The President was tragically assassinated nine days later in Dallas, Texas.
The matchbook remained the property of Fred Holmes until he decided to part with it a couple of years back. Included in the lot is a former newspaper article from the Nairnshire Telegraph in 2013 discussing the matchbook and copies of letters from Jacqueline Kennedy to Major Wingate-Gray of The Black Watch discussing their performances on the 13th November and again at JFK's funeral. The fascinating provenance - and proximity to JFK's murder - make this a highly desirable autograph.
The matchbook remained the property of Fred Holmes until he decided to part with it a couple of years back. Included in the lot is a former newspaper article from the Nairnshire Telegraph in 2013 discussing the matchbook and copies of letters from Jacqueline Kennedy to Major Wingate-Gray of The Black Watch discussing their performances on the 13th November and again at JFK's funeral. The fascinating provenance - and proximity to JFK's murder - make this a highly desirable autograph.
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