$1,799.99
A collection of six items signed by Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassin James Earl Ray, including 3 typed and handwritten letters, a notarized legal document, and signed photograph. Ranging in date from 1973 to 1981, with the majority of items addressed to one Reverend Samuel Jackson of Philadelphia. Exhibits expected wear throughout, including light creasing, soiling, and age toning. Otherwise, very good. Please see below for further information on contents.
Description
A collection of six items signed by Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassin James Earl Ray, including 3 typed and handwritten letters, a notarized legal document, and signed photograph. Ranging in date from 1973 to 1981, with the majority of items addressed to one Reverend Samuel Jackson of Philadelphia. Exhibits expected wear throughout, including light creasing, soiling, and age toning. Otherwise, very good. Please see below for further information on contents.
The lot includes, in chronological order:
1.) Legal document addressed to the Shelby County Attorney General’s office “re: a collateral matter pursuant to Cr. Indictment no. 16645…; Ray V. Tenn.” 3pp, measuring 8.5″ x 13″, Shelby County, TN, August 14, 1973. Signed on the third page as “James E. Ray” and notarized by one Michael W. Kyle. Within, Ray tries to gain repossession of a 1966 Mustang in police custody, which was likely paid for with stolen money.
2.) ALS to Rev. Samuel Jackson, dated June 28, 1977, nearly three weeks after his second escape from prison. 1p on lined paper, measuring 8″ x 9.5″, n.p. [likely Petros, TN]. The convict writes in part: “…anyway with all the legal problems (they are attempting now to transfer me to a federal prison) I don’t have much time for reading… Most all of my family members are Irish-Catholic but I have attended church infrequently. I do receive considerable literature, bibles, etc. through the mail.”
3.) TLS to Rev. Samuel Jackson, measuring 8.5″ x 11″, n.p., dated March 13, 1978. Signed at conclusion as “James Ray” three days after his 50th birthday. Within, he notably mentions: “I am just marking time now until the attys. file for the new trial.”
4.) TLS to Rev. Samuel Jackson, measuring 8″ x 9.5″, n.p. [Nashville, TN], dated July 6, 1981. Signed at the conclusion as “James Ray” in green felt tip, reading in part: “Everything is going ok. Everything is healed and luckily no nerves or leders [sic] were injured. I have been transferred to Nashville although I don’t know how long I will stay here… Yesterday I also received a book from Michael Newton wherein the MLK case is referred to. I think I told you he wrote a paper back about the entire case about a year ago.”
5.) Printed Christmas pamphlet of short stories and poems. 8pp, measuring 4.75″ x 6.75″, n.p., ca. 1981. Signed and inscribed on the inside front wrapper: “Dec. 1981/ Rev. Samuel Jackson/ James Ray”.
6.) Black and white wire photograph signed and inscribed at center left “To: Rev. Samuel Jackson/ From: James Earl Ray.” 1p, measuring 8″ x 10″, n.p., n.d. Verso features copyright stamps from Wide World Photos, with “This Paper Manufactured by Kodak” watermark.
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.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.