The John F. Kennedy 1963 European Trip Presentation Zippo Lighter.
Presidential Seal embossed on the front panel, “EUROPEAN TRIP / OF / PRESIDENT KENNEDY / JUNE 1963” on the rear panel. Measures 2.25×1.25”, silver-tone, mirror finish lighter. The “Zippo Slim Lighter” from the Zippo Mfg. Co, with the 1963 date code on the bottom panel.
From the private collection of Ronald L. McPeck, whom we believe was Kennedy’s military aide, with his name engraved on the front panel.
Provenance: Last sold at Heritage Auctions as lot 43142 on February 27, 2021.
In June 1963, President John F. Kennedy made a high-profile ten-day trip to Europe, visiting West Germany, West Berlin, Ireland, Great Britain, and Italy. Kennedy delivered his notable West Berlin speech on June 26, featuring “Ich bin ein Berliner” as a show of American support for West Germany. He then traveled to Ireland, addressed Parliament in Dublin, and visited his ancestral roots in County Wexford; the trip concluded with stops in Britain and Italy, where he met allied leaders and Pope Paul VI.
While these lighters were given out to dignitaries and staff members, they appear at auction infrequently - we cannot trace any at auction in the last 5 years.
The John F. Kennedy 1963 European Trip Presentation Zippo Lighter.
Presidential Seal embossed on the front panel, “EUROPEAN TRIP / OF / PRESIDENT KENNEDY / JUNE 1963” on the rear panel. Measures 2.25×1.25”, silver-tone, mirror finish lighter. The “Zippo Slim Lighter” from the Zippo Mfg. Co, with the 1963 date code on the bottom panel.
From the private collection of Ronald L. McPeck, whom we believe was Kennedy’s military aide, with his name engraved on the front panel.
Provenance: Last sold at Heritage Auctions as lot 43142 on February 27, 2021.
In June 1963, President John F. Kennedy made a high-profile ten-day trip to Europe, visiting West Germany, West Berlin, Ireland, Great Britain, and Italy. Kennedy delivered his notable West Berlin speech on June 26, featuring “Ich bin ein Berliner” as a show of American support for West Germany. He then traveled to Ireland, addressed Parliament in Dublin, and visited his ancestral roots in County Wexford; the trip concluded with stops in Britain and Italy, where he met allied leaders and Pope Paul VI.
While these lighters were given out to dignitaries and staff members, they appear at auction infrequently - we cannot trace any at auction in the last 5 years.
