Jack Ruby's Fedora, Worn During the Assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald....

Description

Jack Ruby's Fedora, Worn During the Assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald. On Sunday, November 24, 1963, at 11:21 am CST, while authorities were preparing to transfer Lee Harvey Oswald by car from the basement of Dallas police headquarters to the nearby county jail, nightclub owner Jack Ruby stepped out from a crowd of reporters and photographers and fired a snub-nosed .38 into Oswald's abdomen on live national television. The alleged assassin had himself been assassinated, dying on the operating table at Parkland Hospital -- the same hospital that President John F. Kennedy died in two days earlier.
When Ruby was arrested immediately after the shooting, he stated that he shot Oswald to avenge Kennedy, to help the city of Dallas "redeem" itself in the eyes of the public, and to spare First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy the pain of having to testify at Oswald's trial. He would later claim he shot Oswald on the spur of the moment when the opportunity presented itself, without considering any reason for doing so.
Ruby was convicted of murdering Oswald on March 14, 1964, and successfully appealed his conviction and death sentence. As the date for his new trial was being set, Ruby succumbed to lung cancer on January 3, 1967. Like Oswald, his role in the saga of Kennedy's assassination has become the stuff of speculation and conspiracy theories.
This size 7 1/4 gray Cavanagh fedora with black band was worn by Ruby during that fatal encounter. The label inside the sweatband lists the style as a 5B03 Dawn priced at $16.50; Ruby's name is embossed on the sweatband in gold lettering, as is the seller, "Jas. K. Wilson/Dallas". The hat is in Excellent condition and is accompanied by a signed affidavit of authenticity from Earl Ruby, a photocopy of a Dallas County letter testamentary certifying Earl as the executor of Jack's estate, and photocopies of three pages from the Dallas County Probate Court Accounting of Independent Executor document identifying this hat as "worn by Jack L. Ruby at the moment he shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963." A unique item from an unforgettable moment in American history.

Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.