Bible Jackie Kennedy Read From at JFK’s Funeral Sold for $162,500

An 'Inauguration' Bible used by Jackie Kennedy to select verses to be read at her husband John F. Kennedy’s funeral has been sold for $162,500 at Heritage Auction's April 26-27 Americana & Political Signature sale.

On the day of JFK’s assassination, this Bible was used by his widow at his requiem mass in Washington, D.C. It carries the 'Inauguration Bible label because it is gold-stamped on the bottom “January 20, 1961”, the date of the President's inauguration. It includes an inscription by Jackie Kennedy along with JFK’s bookplate and originated with Cardinal Richard Cushing. 

At the same auction, a rare first printing and first issue of one of the most famous reward posters in American history sold for $200,000. The Abraham Lincoln: John Wilkes Booth assassination broadside, which was issued by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton on behalf of the War Department, doubled its pre-auction estimate.

“This is a very important piece of American history,” said Don Ackerman, Heritage’s Managing Director of Political Americana. “When issued, John Wilkes Booth and his two main accomplices were still at large, and broadsides like this one were extremely important in the effort to gain information about their location. There are three versions of the large reward poster, and all are incredibly rare and sought-after.”

Other highlights included:

• Peter Force’s 1833 Printing of the Declaration of Independence which sold for $30,000
• Harry Longabaugh ("Sundance Kid") signed postcard which made $20,625.00
• A Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark 'Voyage of Discovery' expedition map which made $9,375.00
• The Last Hours of Lincoln subscription book with original albumen images which sold for $10,625.00