Extensive collection of JFK memorabilia hits auction block

One of most comprehensive private collections of John F. Kennedy memorabilia, one that chronicles his life from childhood to White House, is for sale.

Hundreds of items associated with former Democratic president are being offered as a single lot by Boston’s RR Auction for a minimum of $1.5 million, although RR Executive Vice President Robert Livingston said it could get much more.

“This collection as a whole tells his life story,” Livingston said, pointing out that Kennedy’s diary from summer of 1945 alone sold at auction for nearly $719,000 in 2017. “It’s like a curated museum exhibit in one auction. whole is greater than sum of parts.”

collection includes a handwritten draft of Kennedy’s 1960 speech anuncing his intention to run for president; hundreds of unpublished photos and negatives of Kennedy and his family; watercolors he painted; personal items including a necktie, back brace and golf balls; and even JFK and Jackie Kennedy Halloween masks.

collection shows Kennedy’s intelligence, compassion and sense of humor, said Ronnie Paloger, a retired garment industry sales rep who spent years accumulating collection.

Paloger was 13 when Kennedy was assassinated, and he said president’s death resonated profoundly in his life.

He’s selling w because he’s 70.

“I ran out of money,” said Marina del Rey, California, resident who also once owned a massive trove of Muhamm Ali memorabilia. “This is my retirement fund.”

After he sold his Ali collection in 1997 and retired in 2005, he dedicated himself to finding JFK memorabilia.

“I spent five years full time to track down all this stuff at auctions,” he said.

most historically significant pieces of collection, Paloger believes, are letter in which Kennedy anunces his candidacy for president and correspondence he exchanged with mor of Harold Marney, his PT 109 crew mate who died when boat was rammed and sunk by Japanese in 1943.

But Paloger’s favorite piece is brief, handwritten, coffee-stained te Kennedy wrote to his bror-in-law, actor Peter Lawford, because it shows president’s mischievous sense of humor.

Kennedy h invited Lawford to White House to discuss script for movie “PT 109,” about Kennedy’s service in World War II.

When Kennedy told Lawford that MGM Studios was behind project, actor became upset because he was feuding with studio he Louis B. Mayer, and wanted thing to do with MGM.

next day, Lawford got up for breakfast and found script and a te — written on White House stationery — at his seat that said “Re and be prepared for revisions at 8:30 a.m.”

Kennedy signed it Louis B. Mayer, causing Lawford to spring up and spill his coffee.

Online bids are being accepted from Jan. 17 until Jan. 23. Only if one bites on collection as a whole will it be sold piecemeal.

But Paloger said he thinks that would be a shame.

“It would be a travesty if this is broken apart,” he said.