Striking! The match book signed by JFK
A MATCH book signed by US President John F Kennedy nine days before he was assassinated is to be sold at auction in Edinburgh this month.
JFK signed the memento for Fred Holmes, at 18 the youngest member of the Black Watch pipes and drums regimental band, who performed for the president and his family at the White House on November 13, 1963.
The event was the last time the Kennedy family were seen together in public before the president was shot dead while being driven through Dallas, Texas.
The signed match book and other mementos from the pipe band will be sold at Lyon & Turnbull’s auction on January 13, when they are expected to fetch up to £2,000,
Mr Holmes, 70, kept the prized items in his home in Nairn for 52 years. Now the former drummer hopes they will find another good home.
He said: ‘The tour was an amazing experience. We played in 63 cities including Washington DC, where we played for the Kennedy family on the south lawn of the White House.
‘We freely wandered around the White House and had some whisky and something to eat.
‘When we were leaving, Kennedy came on to the bus. He came on to thank us and I just went up to him. I was in full Highland dress and the only thing I had in my sporran for him to sign was a book of matches with the White House on it.’
Lyon & Turnbull specialist Cathy Marsden said: ‘We expect interest from both sides of the pond.’