Unique original fingerprint card from the Dallas Police Department, filled out in type and signed in the lower left in pencil, “Jack Ruby,” one page both sides, 8 x 8, December 5, 1954. The card bears Ruby’s fingerprints individually—except for the left index finger, where it notes, “Amp. 1st joint”—as well as all nine prints taken simultaneously at the bottom. The arrest description is typed in the center: “Arrested by Dets. Blankenship & Carlson; Inv. Viol State Liquor Law; Re’d on H C Bond (arrest #54-54814).” Affixed to the reverse is Ruby’s original Dallas Police mug shot from the arrest, listing his prisoner number as “36398.” The reverse also bears typed notes on Ruby’s dealings with the DPD in the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination. These notes, in part: “11-24-63, Arrested Dallas PD for shooting Lee Harvey Oswald, who was being transferred to Co Jail for the shooting of President John F. Kennedy.” In fine condition, with light creasing and soiling.
At this time Ruby was operating the Silver Spur nightclub at 1717 South Ervay Street in Dallas, and this arrest card notes an address of 1719 S. Ervay—likely the club’s offices. Ruby was arrested on December 5, 1954, for allegedly violating state liquor laws by selling alcohol after hours; the complaint was dismissed on February 8, 1955. However, it is interesting to note that Detectives Blankenship and Carlson are also said to have arrested Ruby for being involved in a brawl at the Silver Spur. Attorney Melvin M. Belli’s book about defending Ruby places the brawl in 1955—Ruby got into a fight with three Silver Spur customers, which came to an end when a woman hit him over the head with a half-gallon jug of wine. Belli unsuccessfully argued an insanity defense, contesting that hits to Ruby’s head had resulted in concussions that led to his insanity and the murder of Oswald. Overall a unique, remarkable piece of early Jack Ruby material.
