A recently surfaced home video capturing former President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade en route to a Dallas hospital on November 22, 1963, after he was fatally shot, fetched US$137,500 at auction on Saturday.
An anonymous buyer purchased the film at an auction in Boston, Massachusetts. The film was offered by RR Auction, according to reports.
Bobby Livingston, the auction house’s executive vice president, described the film as evoking a “gripping sense of urgency and heartbreak.”
The footage had been in the possession of Dale Carpenter Sr.’s family since the assassination. Carpenter, who recorded the film, passed away in 1991 at 77 years old.
In the video, Carpenter narrowly misses capturing the limousine carrying President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy but records other vehicles in the motorcade along Lemmon Avenue towards downtown Dallas.
Never-before-seen footage of JFK’s motorcade rushing to hospital after shooting sells at auction for nearly $138K https://t.co/mDs8U7Xt7p pic.twitter.com/ssCm3uO1mC
— New York Post (@nypost) September 29, 2024
The footage then shows the aftermath of the shooting, with the motorcade speeding down Interstate 35 (I-35) to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where Kennedy was declared dead.
The shots were fired as the motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza, in front of the Texas School Book Depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald had stationed himself on the sixth floor.
Carpenter’s footage from I-35 lasts approximately 10 seconds. It shows Secret Service Agent Clint Hill climbing onto the back of the limousine, standing over the president and first lady as the shots were fired.
Carpenter’s grandson, James Gates, mentioned that while the family knew about the film, it was rarely discussed. When the film, stored with other family films in a milk crate, was passed down to him, Gates was initially unsure of its contents.
Gates initially felt underwhelmed by the footage from Lemmon Avenue when he projected it around 2010. However, he found the footage from I-35 shocking.
The auction house has released still images from the part of the film showing the motorcade speeding down I-35 but is not publicly releasing the video.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AP News reports on a 10-second colour home movie of JFK’s motorcade speeding to Parkland Hospital after the assassination, capturing urgency and sorrow. (Read more)
- NPR reports the auction of unseen JFK motorcade footage is reflective of society’s ongoing fascination with historical events. This brief film serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency during that tragic moment. (Read more)
- ABC News reported that the JFK motorcade footage reveals a poignant moment in history. The footage’s anonymity adds intrigue, while its emotional weight underscores the lasting impact of that fateful day. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the newly emerged film of JFK’s motorcade?
It shows the motorcade driving down a freeway in Dallas after JFK was shot.
How much did the JFK motorcade film sell for at auction?
The film sold for US$137,500.
Who recorded the film of JFK’s motorcade?
The film was recorded by Dale Carpenter Sr.
What does the footage from I-35 show?
It shows the motorcade racing towards Parkland Memorial Hospital and Clint Hill jumping onto the limousine.
Is the JFK motorcade film publicly available?
The auction house released still photos but not the video.
