Lee Harvey Oswald Autographs & Memorabilia: Realized Prices
To sell or consign a Lee Harvey Oswald autograph or memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Why Are Lee Harvey Oswald Autographs Collectable?
Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy in November of 1963 in Dallas, Texas. This placed Oswald in the middle of a major historical event that is still heavily studied. His autographs and memorabilia are appealing to dark history collectors as well as those who believe his actions were part of a wider conspiracy. Oswald was just 24 years old at the time and not a public figure, so autographs and memorabilia are vey scarce.
Some Lee Harvey Oswald Items We’ve Sold:
Autograph Letter Signed From 1962 — Sold $15,000
Lee Harvey Oswald autograph letter signed to his brother Robert. Composed in Minsk on 22 May 1962, a mere 18 months before he assassinated President Kennedy. Letter was later used as a Warren Commission exhibit and is discussed in Appendix XIII of the Warren Report. In full: “In case you hear about our coming, or the newspapers hear about it (I hope they won’t), I want to warn you not to make any comment whatsoever about us. none at all!! I know what was said about me when I left the U.S. as Mother sent me some clippings from the newspaper, however I relize that it was just the shock of the news which made you say all those things. however I’ll just remind you again not to make any statements or comments if you are approached by the newspapers between now and the time we actually arrive in the U.S. Hope to see you soon. Love to family. Your Brother / Lee.” 2pp. ink letter measures 6.5″ x 8″ and is composed on stationery picturing a street in Minsk. Accompanied by cover. Minor ink smudging at end of letter, else very good condition. A dark Lee Harvey Oswald autograph. Sold for $15,000.
Signed Check From 1956 — Sold for $14,688
Lee Harvey Oswald autograph document signed/ endorsed check written by his brother, Robert L. Oswald and cashed just days before entering the U.S. Marine Corps. Although a Marxist, Oswald joined the USMC in October 1956 shortly after his 17th birthday. He idolized his brother and wore Robert’s U.S. Marine ring before entering the service himself. Check reads, “West Side State Bank / Fort Worth, Texas 8 Oct. 1956 / Pay to the Order of Lee H. Oswald / $10.00 / Robert L. Oswald.” Cashed at a Fort Worth 7-Eleven and boldly endorsed with a Lee Harvey Oswald autograph. Lot also includes typed letter signed by Robert Oswald which confirms, “This check was to buy a pistol that my brother Lee Harvey Oswald owned at the time. (Reference Volume 1 page 234 of the Warren Commission Report)” Fine condition. An excellent Lee Harvey Oswald autograph. Sold for $14,688.
Autograph Letter Signed From Minsk, Russia — Sold for $12,500
Lee Harvey Oswald autograph letter signed ”Lee xxx”, used in the Warren Commission’s investigation as exhibit #312. Dated 20 December 1961, letter was sent from Minsk, Russia where Oswald had defected, and is addressed to the assassin’s mother, Mrs. Marguerite Oswald. Uncorrected for Oswald’s characteristic poor spelling, letter reads in full, ”Dear Mother Recieved today the thrid package of books and magazines in the last three weeks thanks a lot I really do apprieciate all of your help. I had better give you my new address they just changed the name of this street so the address is Ulisita Kommset Ulisita Kommunidstecheski House 4 Apt 24. We still don’t have any word about our vista [visa]. The American Embassy in Moscow wrote me a letter [photocopy of the letter, Warren Commission Exhibit No. 241, is included] and stated they think the Russians have to let us go. I shall keep you informed. That’s about all for now, Lee XXX P.S Marina sends her love and thanks for the sewing book.” The photocopy of the 14 December 1961 U.S. Embassy in Moscow letter included reads in part, ”…It is the Embassy’s view that, since you are not considered a Soviet citizen by the authorities in this country, you are entitled to receive a Soviet exit visa upon presentation of valid foreign national passport…It further appears to me that your right to an exit visa will not be affected by your acceptance of an extension of your present Soviet documentation, which is after all, prima facie evidence that you are not regarded here as a Soviet citizen…” Five days after this letter was written, Soviet authorities indeed granted exit visas to Oswald and his wife. From the collection of Dr. John K. Lattimer who was the first nongovernmental medical specialist to review evidence in Kennedy’s assassination. He pencils ”JKL 92 68” at the lower edge of the blank verso of the blank integral leaf. Measures 5.5” x 8” on one sheet of ruled paper. Fine. A nice Lee Harvey Oswald autograph. Sold for $12,500.
Original Pulitzer Print & Documents From Dallas Times Herald Editor — Sold for $12,500
Original Pulitzer Prize winning print of Jack Ruby as he shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald. Infamous image captured by Bob Jackson for The Dallas Times Herald from the estate of Herald editor, Felix McKnight. From a 2004 Dallas Morning News article, “…For Robert H. ‘Bob’ Jackson, then a 29-year-old photographer for the Dallas Times Herald, taking a picture of Oswald’s murder meant winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1964…Felix McKnight, co-publisher and editor of the Times Herald, says Mr. Jackson’s negative was overwhelming. ‘I had been a Pulitzer juror three times,’ says Mr. McKnight…He shouted to the troops: ‘We’ve got a winner here! We’re gonna win one!’…” Incredible original silver gelatin print directly from the estate of Felix McKnight measures approximately 26″ x 22″ matted. Photo is mounted onto matting. Accompanied by dozens of telegrams, letters and newspaper clippings, all owned by McKnight, related to JFK’s assassination and the Oswald murder. Also included is the original frame from McKnight. Excellent condition. Sold for $12,500.
Signed Application to Albert Schweitzer College — Sold for $10,541
Lee Harvey Oswald autograph application to Albert Schweitzer College — an application which he used as an elaborate ruse to enter Europe and then defect to the Soviet Union. A self-proclaimed Marxist, Oswald laid his plan for defection under the false pretense of enrolling at Albert Schweitzer College located in Switzerland. Once on the European continent, however, he bypassed Switzerland altogether, making his way to Finland and then onto the U.S.S.R. Application is dated 19 March 1959, with portions filled out by Oswald in his hand, including his full name, his age (20), other languages he spoke (Russian), and his exact address at the time. Signed ”Lee H. Oswald”. Document, measuring 8.25” x 4.5” on one page, has a chip to upper left and a hole at lower left, tape residue along split portions of document and minor creasing. Type and ink remain bold and very legible. Fascinating document providing insight into the man who would throw the nation into mourning less than four years later. Rare version of a Lee Harvey Oswald autograph. Sold for $10,541.
Autograph Letter Signed to Mother — Sold for $10,500
Lee Harvey Oswald autograph letter signed, written to his mother while in the U.S.S.R. Dated “Feb. 24,” Oswald writes in full “Dear Mother, Well, I suppose you’ve already received our letter about the birth of little June Lee Oswald (not June Marina). She weighed 7 lbs. at birth which was on Feb. 15. Mother and child are doing well, she left the hospital on Feb. 24th. / We will probably wait for a period of two or more months while little June gains weight for her trip to the U.S. I don’t think it is too advisable to leave earlier than May. Our visa’s are good. / How’s everything at your end? O.K.? / The weather is rather cold here yet I guess in Texas it must be pretty hot by now. / Did you get the newspaper clipping I asked you for? / I hope you’re already made out that afidavit [sic] of support for Marina by now, like I asked you. / That’s about all for now. / Love xx Lee / Love from little June and Marina.” Two page letter part of Warren Commission, with “Commission No. 195” sticker on front. On stationery with Soviet building. Very good condition. Nice Lee Harvey Oswald autograph letter signed. Sold for $10,500.
Autograph Letter Signed From 1959 — Sold for $9,768
Lee Harvey Oswald autograph letter signed, “Lee,” one page, 4.75″ x 8″. [Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, June 6, 1959]. To his brother, Robert E. Lee Oswald. Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was about 8 miles southeast of Santa Ana, California. It closed in 1999. Original spelling, in full, “Dear Robert, Well, I just got back off a short manuver, to camp Pendelton, The C Rations are still lousy, in case you’ve forgotten. How is that baby and How is Vada? Well, pretty soon I’ll be getting out of the corp and I know what I want to be and how I’m going to be it, which I guess is the most important thing in life. I know I haven’t written in along time please excuse me Well, their really isn’t too much news here, but I would like to hear from you and the family Write Soon Your Brother Lee xxx” . Fine condition. Robert Oswald in his book “Lee: A Portrait of Lee Harvey Oswald by His Brother” (New York: Coward-McCann, 1967), notes that this was the last letter he received from his brother until after he left the Marines. According to his brother, at the time he wrote this letter, he had already planned his trip to Russia. On March 19, 1959, Lee had applied to Albert Schweitzer College in Switzerland for admission to the spring term in 1960; his application was approved. On June 19th, 13 days after writing this letter, he wrote to the college saying he was “looking forward to a fine stay,” enclosing a registration fee of $25. Lee applied for his passport on September 4th stating that he intended to leave the United States for four months on or about September 21st by ship from New Orleans. He stated that the purpose of the trip was to attend Albert Schweitzer College in Switzerland and the University of Turku in Finland, and to visit, as a tourist, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, and Russia. It was not the purpose of his trip, but it was the only way he’d get a passport which was issued on September 10th. After being discharged from the Marines the next day, Lee visited with Robert and his family on September 15th. He then went to New Orleans on September 17th and sailed on the 20th, arriving in Le Harve, France, on October 8, 1959. With no plans to go to Albert Schweitzer College, he left for England that same day, took a plane to Helsinki, Finland, on October 9th, and on October 12th, applied for a visa at the Russian consulate in Helsinki. It was issued on October 14th and on October 16, 1959, Lee Harvey Oswald arrived, by train, in Moscow. An excellent Lee Harvey Oswald autograph letter signed. Sold for $9,768.
Display of JFK & Oswald Autographs Plus Fabric Swatch from JFK’s Limousine & Photo of Zapruder Film — Sold for $8,709
Dramatic signed presentation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, one of the most consequential events of the 20th century that begs the “what if” question of how his full Presidency might have altered American history. Below a PSA encapsulated Type III photo of the Zapruder film, showing the exact moment of the gunshot, the autographs of Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald are displayed next to a swatch of the actual fabric that lined the Presidential limousine transporting John and Jackie Kennedy that day.
Visible portion of Kennedy’s signature measures 2.125″ x 1″, boldly signed “John Kennedy” in black fountain pen. Oswald’s signature, measuring 1.75″ x .75″, is boldly signed “Lee Oswald” in blue ballpoint. Signatures frame the swatch of limousine fabric, which measures approximately .25″ square, encapsulated by CAG. Photo, showing two frames of the Zapruder film, measures 7″ x 9.5″, encapsulated and identified by PSA as a Type III photo, meaning that it was developed in or shortly after 1963 from a wire photo. Entire display measures 16.25″ x 24.5″. Ding to lower right corner of mat, able to be framed out, otherwise near fine. Accompanied by University Archives COAs for both Kennedy and Oswald signatures, and an additional PSA/DNA COA for Kennedy. Sold for $8,709.
Signed Easter Card to Brother — Sold for $8,072
Lee Harvey Oswald autograph on his Easter card with a personal inscription to his brother Robert. Verso of card reads, “We wish you all a Happy Easter. Lee and Marina to Robert, Vada / Cathy and Robert Jr.” Note is written entirely in Oswald’s hand. Undated, the card was probably written in April 1962 (the only Easter when Oswald was back in touch with his family after the 1959 defection) and just weeks before his 13 June 1962 arrival back in the United States. Card measures 4″ x 5″. Oswald autographs are rare, and a card like this, to the older brother he idolized, is perhaps one of a kind. Light age toning, otherwise fine. A scarce version of a Lee Harvey Oswald autograph. Sold for $8,072.
We Also Sold These Marguerito Oswald Items:
Marguerite Oswald Lot of Documents — Sold for $3,656
Fascinating archive of 28 documents regarding the Jim Garrison investigation of John F. Kennedy’s assassination – which refuted the conclusions drawn by the Warren Commission – including three very rare typed letters signed by Marguerite Oswald regarding the assassination. Documents originate from the editors of “Playboy” magazine, which published an interview with Jim Garrison in 1967 that struck a nerve in the American public, two-thirds of whom did not believe the findings in the Warren Report. Just days after Garrison’s interview was published by “Playboy” in October, 1967, Marguerite Oswald wrote a lengthy 2pp. Letter to the Editor of “Playboy” with her thoughts on the investigation. Dated 28 September 1967, letter reads in small part: “I don’t know the merits of Mr. Jim Garrison’s charges against the C.I.A. and the various far right groups who, he says, killed the President and used my son Lee Harvey Oswald as the pawn…I may have sounded shrill in those early days after the President’s death when I stood virtually alone against the powers and said my son was Innocent…Now I see Jim Garrison accused of High crimes: of attempted bribery, bad faith, of political ambition, sensationalism – as I was accused, even vilified, when I said my son was a C.I.A. agent and that men in high places used him as their patsy…Watching how that tide of doubt and revulsion against the ‘Warren Report’ has swept the Country, I watch and wait…It takes time for a nation to overcome a brainwash. I have lived to see a poll showing two-thirds of the land reject that my son killed the President and Officer Tippet, and shot at General Walker. I have lived to see and hear sobered thousands say my son had nothing to do with either murder…because the President’s death has brought us all closer to nuclear confrontation, I see a greater than ever quest for the truth…But the slayers of the President and my son, slew the morality of the nation with the same enfilading shots…President John F. Kennedy and [handwritten] my son Lee Harvey Oswald were of one mind on many important issues. It is my opinion that they were murdered for the same reasons…[signed] Marguerite C. Oswald…” Additional letters signed by Oswald include another letter dated 28 September 1967 accompanying the Letter to the Editor, and a letter dated Christmas, 1967, referring to her “financial situation”. This letter is stamped “NOT FOR PUBLICATION” and accompanies a letter by Michael Laurence, Senior Editor of “Playboy”, who writes, “owing to your extraordinary circumstances — we’ll be able to suspend our normal editorial policy and pay for a letter-to-the-editor. As you requested, we will pay you $350…” Other documents in the archive include a persuasive anonymous letter from a gentleman who states that he was witness of the shooting of Officer Tippit and that two men, neither of them Oswald, ran off in opposite directions after they shot Tippit. Additional letters include a lengthy 2pp. one from the Justice Department with its thoughts on evidence of the assassination; two letters by state’s witness Perry R. Russo – one defending Garrison and one correcting a “detrimental fallacy in your Garrison article (detrimental to me)”; several notes, letters and a handwritten manuscript marked “insert ‘B’ for page 6” by Garrison critic Sylvia Meagher who here takes the “American liberal” to task; a letter regarding “the newest legal light” F. Lee Bailey; letter by Joachim Joesten, author of “The Garrison Enquiry”; and several letters to and from Harold Weisberg, author of “Whitewash: The Report on the Warren Report”. Most documents measure 8.5″ x 11″, in very good to near fine condition. A fascinating archive with sensitive information from the center of the storm of the Garrison case and the investigation into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Sold for $3,656.
Marguerite Oswald Autograph Letter Signed From 1966 — Sold for $3,575
Marguerite Oswald autograph letter signed, written on the verso of a typed statement by her regarding problems with the Warren Report, specifically that her son Lee Harvey Oswald never received a trial for the assassination of John F. Kennedy and therefore should be referred to as the alleged assassin. Dated 2 December 1966, Oswald writes to three brothers, Bob, Richard and Ronald Harris: ”Your father was a most kind and considerate man to me while I was a guest of Radio-T.V. WOAI. I feel strongly that he sensed what happened to my son could possibly happen to you boys (his sons). I feel sure also that he would take the position I have taken in our America – ‘A Man is innocent until proven guilty.’ Know you will grow up to be fine young men. Please remember me in your prayers. / Marguerite Oswald / mother of Lee Harvey Oswald”. Letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Folds, else near fine. Accompanied by envelope addressed by Marguerite Oswald to Gary Harris in San Antonio, Texas, postmarked 22 December 1966. Also accompanied by a newspaper article with her writing, including ”need help”. Sold for $3,575.
Letter From Lee Harvey Oswald’s Mother & Photo of His Grave — Sold for $1,367
Letter composed by Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother with a photo of his grave. Original letter from Marguerito Oswald accompanied by a photograph of Mrs. Oswald kneeling beside Lee Harvey Oswald’s grave. Letter reads in part: “…Enclosed is a picture of my son’s final resting place. I do hope you will be pleased with it…Picture of me & grave. Tree is a weeping willow.” Verso of photograph datelined, “Rose Hill / November 22, 1966…” A unique Oswald item in excellent condition. Sold for $1,367.
To sell or consign a Lee Harvey Oswald autograph or memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
FAQs
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We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.
What factors determine the value of Lee Harvey Oswald memorabilia?
The value of your memorabilia can vary based on condition, subject matter and provenance.