Auctions | October 10, 2024

Pens Used By John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson to Sign Legislation to Auction

Heritage Auctions

The JFK and LBJ pens (detail)

A framed collection of pens used by American presidents to sign historically significant legislation goes under the hammer Heritage Auctions' Americana & Political auction November 1-2.

Heritage Auctions

The JFK and LBJ pens

The John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson: Collection of Presidential Bill Signing Pens features 50 fountain pens used by the country’s 35th and 36th presidents. Among the bills signed into law with pens from this collection are the Civil Rights Act, which Johnson signed July 2, 1964, the Minimum Wage Act (May 1961), the Peace Corps Act (September 1961), the Clean Air Act (December 1963), the Food Stamp Act, the Voting Rights Act (August 1965), Immigration Act (October 1965) and the 25th Amendment (Presidential Continuity) to the Constitution (February 1967).

The pens were given to William Eastman of the Housing and Urban Development Department, and are being consigned by Eastman’s grandson.

Other highlights include a handbill, ticket, and program for JFK's 1962 birthday at Madison Square Garden with Marilyn Monroe, and a 1833 William Stone Declaration of Independence together with a copy of Peter Force’s book American Archives.