JFK memorabilia fetches about $2 million at auction

— A private collection of John F. Kennedy memorabilia drew almost $2 million at auction, including $570,000 for the former president’s Air Force One leather bomber jacket.

The collection of about 2,000 photographs, documents, gifts and other items was auctioned Sunday at John McInnis Auctioneers in Amesbury.

The items belonged to David Powers, Kennedy’s assistant and close personal friend who died in 1998.

The jacket, like many of the items, sold to an anonymous bidder for much more than expected.

It was emblazoned with the presidential seal sewn on the front, and was given to Powers shortly before the president was assassinated 50 years ago. It came with a color photograph of Kennedy wearing it while watching the America’s Cup race. The pre-auction price was just $20,000 to $40,000.

An American flag that flew at the White House during the Kennedy administration went for $21,000, even though the price was $3,000 to $6,000.

A photo of Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy on their wedding day signed by the couple sold for $9,750 even though the pre-auction price was $2,000 to $5,000.

About 350 people attended the auction, with another 1,000 online bidders.

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