Original roughly 15-foot-long United Press International teletype roll reporting the breaking news of the death of President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. The roll consists of bulletins UPR158, which offers a Kennedy family biography and Oregon weather reports, and bulletins UPR163 through to UPR 177, which includes ample aftermath details on the shooting, the arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald, the inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson as president, and reactions from national and international figures. Highlights are as follows:
UPR163: “President Kennedy is dead at the hands of an assassin and Lyndon Johnson has taken the oath of office as the 36th President of the United States. Mr. Kennedy was shot in the head as he rode through friendly crowds through downtown Dallas. Texas Governor John Connally was seriously wounded by the assassin. Dallas police have arrested a prime suspect—Lee Oswald.”
UPR165: “Mr. Kennedy was cut down this afternoon by an assassin's bullet as he rode through the streets of downtown Dallas crowded by a quarter million persons. Beside him in the famous bubbletop limousine sat Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy…The president's wife had commented to him, ‘You can't say Dallas wasn't friendly to you’…Seconds later, three shots rang out. The president toppled over, at least one bullet in his head. Mrs. Kennedy screamed, then cradled his head in her arms. That was at approximately 1:30 pm (est). The limousine, with police escorts, raced to Parkland Hospital.”
UPR169: “Authorities are holding Lee Harvey Oswald in connection with President Kennedy's assassination in Dallas. The 24-year-old former Marine…who possess pro-Communist sentiments…is also accused of killing a Dallas policeman. According to police, Oswald has admitted owning a snub-nose 38-caliber pistol used to kill patrolman J. D. Tippit. But he denies any connection with the assassination of Mr. Kennedy or the wounding of Texas Governor John Connally…Oswald says he is not the owner of a rifle found in a building near the scene of the assassination. Police have yet to say whether fingerprints on the rifle which killed the president and those on the pistol used in slaying the policeman match.”
UPR171: “Former President Harry Truman says the assassination of President Kennedy is a great loss to the entire country. Mr. Truman said the late president was able… loved and trusted. Mrs. Truman says her husband was so shocked by the news he was unable to make a statement for four hours after the assassination…
Sir Winston Churchill says Mr. Kennedy's loss to the United States and the world cannot be calculated. The former British Prime Minister says those who follow Mr. Kennedy must strive to achieve the ideals to which he dedicated his presidency.” The teletype bears a few editorial annotations. Rolled and in fine condition, with some horizontal folds and light edgewear.
