Antiques expert reveals JFK photograph likely features printed signature

The Antiques Roadshow episode aired recently on BBC One showcased a signed photograph of former US President John F. Kennedy. This item captured the attention of expert Hilary Kay, who expressed her surprise at the historical significance of the piece brought in by a guest. The guest provided a poignant account of how the photograph, which had been in their family for over sixty years, was addressed to their great-grandfather, William Ewart Pitt, the Chief Constable of Derbyshire Police during the 1960s. JFK's visit to the UK and his subsequent encounter with Pitt added a rich narrative to the photograph's history. During his visit, JFK had planned to meet with then-Prime Minister Harold Macmillan but took a detour to RAF Waddington, where he was met by Pitt. The guest recounted how JFK visited the gravesite of his sister in Edensor, which was orchestrated with the assistance of Pitt, who presumably facilitated the visit due to his position. This touching backstory offered a deep emotional connection to the photograph and highlighted a moment in history that many may not be aware of. However, Hilary Kay's expert analysis shifted the narrative when she suggested that the signature on the photograph was likely not genuine. She explained that an overwhelming majority of JFK's signatures in circulation are either secretarial or produced by a machine known as an Autopen, which could replicate his signature at an alarming rate. Kay informed the guest that over 80 percent of signatures attributed to JFK fall into this category, diminishing the item's perceived value and authenticity. Despite the photograph's emotional and family significance, her confirmation that the signature was probably a print left the guest feeling disheartened. In the end, Kay did find a positive aspect within the cherished heirloom, noting that a tie pin included with the photograph, which depicted Kennedy's PT-109 vessel from World War II, was a remarkable piece of memorabilia. She reassured the guest that it signified JFK's appreciation for the time spent with their great-grandfather. Ultimately, the guest expressed no intention of selling the photograph, appreciating it for its sentimental value rather than its monetary worth, underscoring the deep-rooted familial connections and historical significance entwined within the item.