Two swatches of light and dark blue seat leather from the limousine Kennedy was riding in at the time of his assassination, measuring approximately 4.5 x 3 and 4.5 x 2.5. Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from F. Vaughn Ferguson, a technical service representative at the White House whose primary responsibility was the care of the presidential limousine. Important to note that only Mr. Ferguson was permitted continual hands on contact with the 1963 presidential limousine after the tragic assassination of our president. In part: "The leather, light blue and dark blue, is from the automobile in which John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, was Assassinated in, on November 22 1963. Four days after the Assassination the White House upholsterer and I removed this leather at the White House. The light blue leather is from the center of the rear seat. The dark blue leather is from the border of the rear seat. The spots on the leather are the dried blood of our beloved President, John F. Kennedy." Ferguson was able to retain the removed leather sections, and then the presidential limousine was sent to a Cincinnati firm for refitting and a security upgrade. Mr. Ferguson retained a close relationship with Raleigh DeGeer Amyx over the course of many years, they often spent time visiting at one another's homes, allowing the gathering of a significant amount of historical information to accompany this relic. A desirable set of both types of leather upholstery in the 1961 Lincoln Continental X-100 presidential limousine and a poignant, historic reminder of that fateful November day. An iconic and seminal offering, related to the final moments of our martyred president's life.
Provenance: From the Collection of Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, RR Auction, September 2014.
