Description:

John F. Kennedy
various, July 6, 1953; November 24, 2003
Kennedy Assassination: Jack Ruby Signed Check & James R. Leavelle Signed Souvenir Press Photo
DS and SP
Two autographed items relating to the assassination of 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy and its immediate aftermath. Dates and locations: July 6, 1953, [Dallas, Texas]. November 24, 2003, n.p. Included are a check signed by Jack Ruby, the Dallas entrepreneur who killed Lee Harvey Oswald; and a souvenir press photo signed by James R. Leavelle, the Dallas Police Department Homicide Detective who was escorting Oswald when the latter was fatally shot. Individual condition issues will be elaborated below. Overall near fine. The souvenir photo measures 9.375" x 7."

The lot includes:

1. A check signed by Jack Ruby (1911-1967) as "Jack Ruby" on the signature line. Check No. 101 is dated July 6, 1953 and directed cashiers at the Mercantile National Bank at Dallas to pay $25 to "National Screen" from the account of the Evray Theatre, where Ruby worked as the manager. Ruby has also engrossed the front of the check. Bearing the usual clerical hand-stamps, perforations, and pencil dockets recto and verso. Near fine. 6.25" x 2.75." Also included is a black and white glossy photo reprint of Ruby surrounded by a trio of chorus girls, 4" x 6."

The Evray Theatre - still open for corporate events and wedding rentals today - is located at 1707 South Evray Street in the Cedars neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Dallas, Texas. Ruby became the manager of the Evray Theatre in 1953; the picture house exhibited full-length motion pictures and cartoon shorts.

2. A later reprint of a black and white press photo after Robert H. Jackson's iconic shot, signed and dated by James R. Leavelle (1920-2019) as "James Leavelle / 11-24-03" near the center. N.p. Printed on glossy photo paper. The press caption indicates that the photo showing Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald was featured during 20-year anniversary press coverage of the Kennedy assassination, ca. October 27, 1983. Leavelle is referred to as the "Plainclothesman at left… J.A. [sic] Leavelle." Minor reddish mottling to isolated areas of the reprint. Isolated edge wear along right edge. Else near fine. 9.375" x 7."

Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963) was being led through the Dallas police station basement when he was shot at point-blank range by Jack Ruby at approximately 11:21 AM on November 24, 1963. Oswald, then a prime suspect for the murders of President Kennedy and Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit, later died of his injuries. Detective Leavelle was one of the closest eyewitnesses of Lee Harvey Oswald's shooting. As one of two police officers escorting Oswald that morning, Leavelle was literally handcuffed to him at the time of the shooting.

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!

  • Dimensions: photograph measures 9.375" x 7"
  • Medium: DS and SP

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide 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 that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, 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. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

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. 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 10 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 Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 29, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 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