Auctioneer Sells Footage of JFK’s Fatal Motorcade Ride for $137,500
Newly emerged film footage of President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade speeding down a Dallas freeway toward a hospital after he was fatally wounded has sold at auction for US$137,500.
The Footage
The 8 mm color home film was offered up by RR Auction in Boston, with the buyer wishing to remain anonymous. The film has been with the family of the man who took it, Dale Carpenter Sr., since he recorded it on November 22, 1963.
The film begins as Carpenter just misses the limousine carrying the president and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, but captures other vehicles in the motorcade as it traveled down Lemmon Avenue toward downtown. The film then picks up after Kennedy has been shot, with Carpenter rolling as the motorcade roars down Interstate 35.
What the Footage Shows
Carpenter’s footage from I-35, which lasts about 10 seconds, shows Secret Service Agent Clint Hill hovering in a standing position over the president and Jacqueline Kennedy, whose pink suit can be seen. The president was pronounced dead after arriving at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Bidder’s Reaction
Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of the auction house, said in a news release that the film "provides a gripping sense of urgency and heartbreak."
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Background of the Film
Carpenter’s grandson, James Gates, said that while it was known in his family that his grandfather had film from that day, it wasn’t talked about often. So Gates said that when the film, stored along with other family films in a milk crate, was eventually passed on to him, he wasn’t sure exactly what his grandfather had captured.
The Auction House’s Decision
The auction house has released still photos from the portion of the film showing the race down I-35, but it is not publicly releasing video of that part.
Conclusion
The auction of the film footage provides a glimpse into a tragic moment in American history. The film’s sale will likely generate significant interest among historians, collectors, and enthusiasts of the Kennedy assassination.
FAQs
- Q: Who purchased the film footage?
- A: The buyer’s identity is anonymous.
- Q: How much did the film footage sell for?
- A: It sold for US$137,500.
- Q: Why is the video not being publicly released?
- A: The auction house is not publicly releasing the video due to concerns about the footage’s value and its potential impact on the historical record.
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