Lot 232

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Description:

L.H. Oswald Superb Russian Content ALS, "there is a lot of things still to be done"

Autograph Letter Signed,"Lee", 2pp, 5.5" x 8", Minsk, May 5, 1961. Accompanied by an 8" x 10" black and white, lightly stained vintage photo depicting a family holding a newspaper in which the headline reads, "Ft. Worth Man Asks Red Citizenship". Also included are photocopies of the original mailing envelope and purchase receipt. Expected light wear, else fine condition. 

Provenance: From the collection of Ron Hoskins, assassinologist, who purchased two Oswald letters directly from Robert Oswald in 2007 for $25,000.00.

In this revealing letter to his brother, Robert, written in May 1961 after more than an entire year of silence, Lee Harvey Oswald was looking to catch up on lost time. He also makes his first reference to his disillusionment with the Soviet system, showing his first glimmer of dissatisfaction with Communist Russia. Oswald was learning how pure Marxist theory, as read in books, is so very different from the application of real-life Communism. What does not yet appear in the letter is a sense of urgency, interest, or desperation on Oswald's part to leave Russia and return to the States. However, it is only a matter of time, as by June of 1962, merely one year after this letter, Oswald returned to the United States with Marina and his daughter.

Oswald's letter in full, with original spelling unchanged:

"It has been a long time since I have written you, more than a year, a lot has happened in that time. I am now living in the city of Minsk which is located about 400 S-W of Moscow. Minsk is the capital city of the Soviet State of bellerussia. I shall have been living here already a year and three months. I came to live in Minsk after I wrote my last letter to you. I have been working at the local radio-television plant as a metal-smith.  On April 30 of this year, I got married, my wife is nineteen years old, she was born in the city of Leningrad, which is the second largest city in the U.S.S.R., her parents are dead-and she was living with her aunt and uncle here in Minsk when I first met her.  Not too long ago I received a letter from mother but I lost the address. I would like you send it to me if you write.  We have a small flat near my factory and are living nicely. In general I have found the living conditions here to be good but there is a lot of things still to be done. I hope to send you somethings from here if you like. The Soviet Union is one of the most interesting country's I have seen in my travels. You should try to visit us some time I sometimes meet american tourist here especially in the summer.  Well that’s about all for now hope to hear from you soon.  Regards to Vatta and Kathy."

Fully autographed and signed letters by Lee Harvey Oswald are scarce. This letter would be an important canon for the collector of Oswald and Kennedy history and is accompanied by impeccable, outstanding provenance.

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.

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August 17, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

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$50,000 + $5,000