Lot 311

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Clay Shaw JFK Assassination "the 5th Anniversary of my arrest and the 3rd of my acquittal"

2pp typed letter signed by Clay Shaw (1913-1974), the only person accused and acquitted of conspiracy charges to assassinate President John F. Kennedy, as "Clay" on the second page at center. Accompanied by three press photos of Shaw taken during the period following his arrest, trial, and acquittal, ca. 1967-1969. Provenance: From the collection of Ron Hoskins, assassinologist.

On March 1, 1967, New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison formally charged Clay Shaw of conspiring to murder 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963). An alleged acquittance of JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963), Shaw also had connections to the Central Intelligence Agency and anti-Fidel Castro activists. The charges hinged around a September 1963 dinner party in which Shaw, accompanied by someone who looked like Oswald, discussed shooting President Kennedy. Shaw's trial took place in January - February 1969 and he was acquitted on March 1, 1969, exactly two years after his arrest.

Shaw's letter, written in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 13, 1972, was addressed to a certain Thomas Dawson in Hollywood, California. On "French Market Corporation / 83 French Market Place / New Orleans, LA. 70116" letterhead, the second page on onion skin. Shaw has handwritten "Your taste is impeccable!" following the last sentence of the first paragraph. Other inscriptions appear on the masthead, margins, and at the conclusion of the letter. Expected paper folds and staple holes at upper left. Else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

Shaw writes his friend about attending Carnival in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the upcoming month, and also reflects on the past few tumultuous years. He writes in part: " Just this morning I had a call from the CBS-TV Station in Houston who want me to appear on a TV Talk Show on March 1st. That date, as you may recall, is the 5th Anniversary of my arrest and the 3rd of my acquittal…"

The lot also includes three contemporary press photos taken of Shaw following his arrest, trial, and acquittal. Expected light surface wear and light to moderate overall wrinkling, else very good to near fine. Average size 8" x 10."

1. AP wire photo showing Clay opening his front door, with the caption: "(NU3) New Orleans, Mar. 15 -- Shaw Picks Up His Mail -- Clay Shaw, who has been booked with conspiracy in the murder of President Kennedy … stopped off at his apartment enroute [sic] to the second day of his preliminary hearing where he was quickly ushered in by car to avoid scores of newsmen and photographers." Stamped March 16, 1967 verso.

2. AP wire photo showing Shaw, with the caption: "(NU1) New Orleans, La. March 1 -- Smiling Shaw -- Retired New Orleans businessman Clay Shaw was found not guilty of conspiring to kill President Kennedy shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday after the jury deliberated for 54 minutes…" Stamped March 2, 1968 verso; also inscribed with editor's notes and a press clipping verso.

3. AP wire photo showing Clay with his attorney, with the caption: "(NU1) New Orleans, La. March 3 -- Facing Charges Again -- Clay Shaw (left) leaves the court clerk's office after posting $1,000 bond on two perjury charges filed by the New Orleans district attorney's office. Last Saturday Shaw was acquitted on charges of conspiring to kill President Kennedy…" Stamped March 4, 1969 verso.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

September 30, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000