Original FBI Wanted Poster & Capture - James Earl Ra (03/29/2011)...

Home > Worthopedia – Price Guide > Fraternal, Political, Organizations >

Original FBI Wanted Poster & Capture - James Earl Ray

Terms and Conditions for using our site

Original FBI Wanted Poster & Capture - James Earl Ray

Sold For:

or Sign In to see what it's worth.

Sold Date: 03/29/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Fraternal, Political, Organizations

Original FBI WantedPoster for James Earl Ray

Original FBI Capture and Extradition Document for James Earl Ray

Certificate of Authenticity

Both Items Custom Matted and Framed

The two items being offered are:

Original FBI Wanted Poster for James Earl Ray for the suspected murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. The poster is dated April 19, 1968 and has the facsimile signature of J. Edgar Hoover. The poster is printed on both sides with the reverse side containing the list of offices of the FBI as well as the mailing label to the Sheriff’s Office in Chatham County, Pittsboro, N.C. I purchased the poster from a relative of the sheriff and a Letter of Provenance from him will be provided with the poster. The poster has defined fold creases and two punch holes at the top center where it once hung on the wanted clipboard in the Sheriff's office. There are minor tears at the top of the punch holes (probably when it was yanked off of the clipboard), and about a one inch paper separation at one of the fold creases under the far right picture of James Earl Ray (wearing the bow tie).

Original FBI Capture and Extradition Notification dated August 2, 1968 that states that James Earl Ray was extradited from London, England to Memphis, Tenn., 7-19-68. The notification is printed on both sides with the reverse side containing the list of offices of the FBI. The document is in FINE condition.

Background

James Earl Ray robbed two grocery stores in St. Louis, Mo. and one in Alton during the summer and fall of 1959. He was eventually captured and tried for the St. Louis robbery in December 1959. On March 17, 1960, he began serving a 20-year sentence at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Ray tried to escape November 1961 and again in March 1966. Following the second attempt, he was examined at the State hospital in Fulton, Mo, and determined capable of standing trial for escape.
On April 23, 1967, Ray did escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary. Over the following 11 1/2-month period, he traveled extensively in North America, residing in such cities as Chicago, Montreal, Birmingham, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. On the afternoon of April 1968, posing as John Willard, Ray rented a room at a Memphis rooming house near the Lorraine Motel. That day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated as he stood on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

On May 7, 1968, the Shelby County Criminal Court named James Earl Ray in an indictment for the first-degree murder of Dr. King. An international manhunt culminated with Ray's capture at Heathrow Airport in London, England, on June 8, 1968. Following extradition proceedings in England, Ray was returned to the United States on July 19, 1968. Ray pleaded guilty to the murder of Dr. King on March 10, 1969. Judge W. Preston Battle sentenced him to 99 years in the penitentiary.

Provenance

The FBI Wanted Poster was purchased from a relative of the head sheriff of Chatham County, Pittsboro, NC in 2007. A Letter of Provenance that I obtained when I purchased the item will be sent with the poster.

Dimensions, Matting, and Framing

The Wanted Poster measures 10” x 15” and is matted in museum quality materials in a custom frame that measures 14” x 19”.

The Notification and Extradition document measures 8” x 8” and is matted in museum quality materials in a custom frame that measures 12” x 12”.

Over the next few weeks, I will be listing numerous extremely rare Martin Luther King, Jr. and James Earl Ray books, ephemera, and photographs. Please visit my store or link at the top of this listing to view the offerings.