Lot 200

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Lee Harvey Oswald's Life Insurance Documents, 2 Pcs, Claim Approval Reason Listed as "Homicide"

Two documents relating to a life insurance policy belonging to suspected presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963). The policy was taken out for Lee by his mother in 1945, when he was just 5 1/2 years old, and later submitted for settlement following his shooting death in November 1963. The documents pertaining to claimants "Oswald and Company" date from late November 1963 - January 1964 and are from the National Life and Accident Insurance Company, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Ex-Nicholson Collection. Provenance material includes a letter from Alexander Autographs (Greenwich, Connecticut.)

The lot is comprised of:

1. "The National Life and Accident Insurance Company / Death Claim and Information Form" showing that the insurance company paid out $863 to beneficiaries of Life Insurance Policy 942157 belonging to Lee Harvey Oswald. Internal notes indicate that the reason for claim approval was "homicide." Docketed November 27 and November 29, 1963, just a few days after Oswald was gunned down in the basement of the Dallas Police Department Headquarters by Jack Ruby on November 24, 1963. A few minor chipped edges, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

2. A memorandum from Ed Howard, Manager Southwest Territory on "National Life and Accident Insurance Company" letterhead dated December 10, 1963. In part: "A District Office check in the amount of $863 has been issued by the Fort Worth North District, and they are holding same pending the beneficiary's decision to accept full and final settlement of this claim." Date docketed January 10, 1964 in the lower left corner. A minor chip along the left edge, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

Marguerite Oswald (1907-1981) took out a life insurance policy for youngest son Lee Harvey Oswald on April 17, 1945. Policy no. 942157 provided a $1,000 payout for an average annual premium of $20.54 which also included double indemnity coverage.

Lee's life insurance policy was active until at least 1957, but there is some uncertainty about whether the coverage lapsed after that point. Marguerite approached the National Life and Accident Insurance Company for a payout of $863 in the days following Lee's murder. She also sought a double indemnity, a double payout granted to an insured's family only in cases of accidental death. $863 in 1963 money is the equivalent of more than $7,000 in 2020 currency.

It is unknown whether Marguerite's claim was ever completely processed. Internal memos suggest the National Life and Accident Insurance Company attempted to renege on payments by claiming that the life insurance policy had lapsed, and life insurance executives may have soured once Marguerite started lobbying for a double indemnity payment. In an interview conducted by "Texas Monthly" magazine in November 1973, Marguerite claimed she was penniless.

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.

November 11, 2020 10:30 AM EST
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