Kennedy Assassination: Dow Jones Ticker Tape from November 22, 1963

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By RR Auction

Nov 8, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-11-08 18:00:00 2023-11-08 18:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : RR Auction: Fine Autographs and Artifacts Featuring John F. Kennedy https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/rr-auction/rr-auction-fine-autographs-and-artifacts-featuring-john-f-kennedy-13978
RR Auction's November Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction offers an extraordinary and wide-ranging selection of the rare and remarkable. RR Auction support@rrauction.com

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• Lot Description
  Chilling original Dow Jones News Service ticker tape wire teletype report from the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, headed: "Friday, November 22, 1963 9 AM." The report consists of 29 pages of varying lengths, ranging from about 26″ to 40″, and presents an actual, real time account of the assassination and its immediate aftermath. Filled with amazing content, the reports begin with a summary of international news on economic cooperation in Europe, elections in Japan, trading in London, commodities prices, and other financial news. President Kennedy's name initially comes up in relation to his trip to Texas and his support for the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX) warplane program. A blurb headed "Kennedy - Space Race" mentions the rally held in front of the Texas Hotel in Fort Worth on the morning of November 22nd: "President Kennedy said that the United States early next year will test a rocket booster so powerful it will put the nation far ahead of Russia in the space race - he was referring to the Saturn Rocket Booster‰Û_It was the first of four speeches the president scheduled today on a swing through Fort Worth, Dallas, and Austin."
  
  
  
  Following more financial news, the teletype reports on Kennedy's arrival "at Dallas Love Field by plane at 12:38 PM EST." Further economic reporting is interrupted by the chilling headline: "President Kennedy Shot." The piece reports: "President Kennedy was shot today just as his motorcade left downtown Dallas - Mrs. Kennedy jumped up and grabbed Mr. Kennedy - she cried oh no - the motorcade sped on. AP photographer James W. Altgens said he saw blood on the president's head‰Û_AP reporter Jack Bell asked Kenneth O'Donnell presidential assistant if Kennedy was dead - O'Donnell gave no answer. Kennedy was reported taken to Par[k]land Hospital near the Dallas Trade Mart where he was to have made a speech‰Û_Bell reported three shots were fired as the motorcade entered the triple underpass‰Û_Pandemonium broke loose around the scene‰Û_Gov. John B. Connally of Texas was also cut-down by bullets‰Û_It was impossible to tell at once where Kennedy was hit but bullet wounds in Connally's chest were plainly visible‰Û_The gunfire might possible have come from an automatic weapon. It was difficult to determine immediately whether the first lady and Mrs. Kennedy were injured‰Û_At 1:50 PM Eastern Standard Time Acting White House Secretary Malcolm Kilduff was asked whether the president was dead - I have no word now - Kilduff replied."
  
  
  
  In the pages that follow, financial announcements—namely, the suspension of trading in light of the assassination attempt—are interspersed with further news from Dallas. One blurb reports on the scene at Parkland: "When the president was taken into the emergency room a call was sent out immediately for some of the top surgical specialists in Dallas. A call was also sent out for a Roman Catholic priest. Congressman Jim Wright of Fort Worth said both Kennedy and Connally were seriously wounded but were alive." Further blurbs include news that "Father Huber of Holy Trinity Church in Dallas administered the last sacrament of the church to the president shortly before 1 PM," followed by the announcement that "two priests who were with Kennedy say he is dead of bullet wounds." News of the ongoing investigation is also present, detailing J. Edgar Hoover's call to the Dallas FBI directing an all-out investigation and the police dragnet in Dallas in search for the suspect.
  
  
  
  Official confirmation of Kennedy's death soon appears, noting: "Kennedy, 46, lived about an hour after a sniper cut him down as his limousine left downtown Dallas. Automatically the mantle of the presidency fell to vice president Lyndon B. Johnson who had been riding two cars behind‰Û_The president was shot once in the head‰Û_Police found a foreign-make rifle‰Û_One witness said he saw a gun emerge from an upper story of a warehouse commanding an unobstructed view of the presidential car."
  
  
  
  The teletype goes on to report on Kennedy's condition at the hospital, including fodder for later conspiracy theories: "Dr. Malcolm Perry attendant surgeon at Parkland Hospital‰Û_said the president had wounds of the neck and head. When asked if possibly the wounds could have been made by two bullets he said he did not know‰Û_When asked to specify, Perry said entrance wound was in the front of the head." The following blurb describes Lyndon B. Johnson's swearing-in as president: "Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president of the United States at about 1:38 PM CST. The oats [sic] was administered by US District Judge Sarah T. Hughes. Johnson took the oats [sic] aboard the presidential plane at Dallas Love Field. He was preparing to fly to Washington to take over the government."
  
  
  
  Shortly thereafter is a report on the apprehension of a suspect: "The Dallas Police Department today arrested a 24-year-old man Lee H. Oswald in connection with the slaying of a Dallas policeman shortly after President Kennedy was assassinated. He was also being interrogated to see if he had any connection with the slaying of the president. Oswald was pulled screaming and yelling from the Texas theatre in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas - he brandished a pistol which officers took away from him after a scuffle. Police had to hold back crowds that quickly congregated because many apparently connected the arrested man with the slaying of the president." Further pieces discuss evidence found on the fifth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, reactions to news of JFK's death from various political figures, and an announcement that the Senate adjourned its session.
  
  
  
  Printed on official paper watermarked "Dow Jones," the reports are rolled and in overall fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of provenance briefly discussing the history of the piece, which was retained by a Kidder Peabody stockbroker following the tragic events of November 22, 1963. In fine condition.
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