Impressive archive of papers from the estate of officer Cecil Kirk, known for his investigations into the authenticity of the infamous backyard photographs of Lee Harvey Oswald holding his rifle, as well as his examination of the rifle itself. The primary material is a 41-page set of photocopies of notes from his 1978 testimony before the House Select Committee on Assassinations concerning the authenticity of the often disputed photographs of Lee Harvey Oswald in his backyard holding the rifle he allegedly used to assassinate John F. Kennedy, with copious penciled corrections and emendations in Kirk’s hand throughout. A portion of these notes concerns the photos, in part: “It has been alledged [sic] that Oswald’s shadow on the ground in these photographs is entirely black and contains no detail…This allegation of the shadow being painted on a montage—like others—is based on viewing copy prints and not on first generation photographs—When the photographs are viewed properly and with objectivity—details in the shadows are clearly visible. Grass, a small branch—stones, leaves and a newspaper are seen.” Also includes two glossy 10 x 8 photos, one of the rifle in question and one showing the various Oswald negatives, a period 8 x 10 photo of a Dallas detective holding the rifle, and two candid color snapshots of the 1978 hearings, one showing Kirk delivering his testimony and the other showing former Texas Governor John Connally, who was wounded during the assassination. A magazine with an article about Kirk’s investigation and a typed statement on Select Committee on Assassinations letterhead about Kirk’s involvement are also present. In overall fine condition.
