Lot 195

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Description:

Lee Harvey Oswald 2x Signed Envelope

An original holograph envelope 2x signed by Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963), the suspected assassin of 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Provenance: From the collection of Ron Hoskins, assassinologist; Dr. John K. Lattimer; Charles Hamilton Galleries, Inc. (New York, New York). Accompanied by an impressive sheaf of provenance materials, to be enumerated below.

This envelope postmarked April 1962 once contained a letter (a PHOTOCOPY of which is included here for reference) discussing Lee's attempts to return to the United States after a two-and-a-half-year period of self-exile in the Soviet Union.

The official airmail envelope, with its classic blue and red striped edges, features a colorful vignette at left depicting a passenger plane flying over a river valley. Oswald's first partial signature as "Oswald" can be found within his mother's name "Mrs. M. Oswald" in the recipient's address panel. The second signature, in Russian Cyrillic, is incorporated into the return address at bottom. (Both the recipient's name and the sender's name have been inverted after the Russian fashion.) Bearing a total of four Soviet stamps (of three different types and denominations), and numerous Minsk postal and registry markings from circa April 21, 1962. A philatelic hand-stamp dated April 28, 1962 from Vernon, Texas appears verso, as does an initialed notation by a member of the Warren commission at upper left. Apparently letter-opened at top. Expected light toning and weathering, else near fine. Encased in acetate, which preserves the envelope and makes it ideal for display. 6.125" x 4.5."

In June 1962, Oswald, his Russian wife Marina, and their infant June were able to book passage back home.

Provenance

The letter is accompanied by:

- A PHOTOCOPY of the original April 22, [1962] autograph letter signed by Lee Harvey Oswald, included for reference purposes only.

- A cut-out of the auction description from an original Charles Hamilton Galleries sale catalog. The envelope was offered as Lot 203 at their May 28, 1968 sale.

- Photocopies of the Charles Hamilton Galleries sale catalog, auction description, and list of prices realized from the sale, with Lot 203 highlighted.

- A photocopy of Dr. John K. Lattimer's original Charles Hamilton sales receipt dated May 29, 1968 listing this Oswald endorsed envelope. The purchase price was $130. Dr. John K. Lattimer (1914-2007) was a world-renowned Kennedy assassination expert and collector.

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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November 11, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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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