JFK’s ‘last autograph’ bought by Calabasas collector

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A Calabasas historic document dealer recently purchased what may have been the last autograph signed by President Kennedy.

Joe Maddalena paid $39,000 for a copy of the Dallas Morning News with the president’s signature, according to Heritage Auctions, the company that sold the item.

When a Dallas woman handed the president the newspaper, he signed the front page near the date, Nov. 22, 1963. He was assassinated about two hours later.

Maddalena told CNN that he got an “impressive piece of history at a bargain price” and plans to display it with other JFK items at “appropriate times,” such as the slain president’s birthday. The name of Maddalena’s business, Profiles in History, is inspired by the Kennedy book ‘Profiles in Courage.’
Immediately after taking possession of the autograph, Maddalena said he insured it for a quarter-million dollars.

-- Valerie J. Nelson