A rarely seen 10-second film of President John F. Kennedy's motorcade racing toward a Dallas hospital after his assassination will be auctioned on September 28, 2024, with bidding already reaching $12,100.

This newly discovered 8 mm footage, recorded by Dale Carpenter Sr., provides a striking and complete perspective of the frantic moments following Kennedy's assassination, showcasing Secret Service Agent Clint Hill and the desperate speed of the motorcade as it races toward Parkland Memorial Hospital. As interest in historical artifacts related to Kennedy's assassination continues to grow, the auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors and historians alike to acquire a piece of significant American history.

The footage, lasting approximately 10 seconds, captures the motorcade on Interstate 35. It reveals a chaotic moment just after the fatal shooting of Kennedy, a moment that has been pivotal in American history. Bobby Livingston, the executive vice president of the auction house, emphasized the quality of the film, describing it as remarkable and in color. According to him, the footage exudes a palpable sense of urgency, mimicking the speed of 80 mph as the vehicle hurriedly made its way to the hospital.

Historians have noted the importance of such footage, especially in understanding the minutes following the assassination. Farris Rookstool III, a historian with a focus on the event, remarked that this film offers a more comprehensive look at the rushed attempt to save Kennedy than other pieces of footage that have emerged over the years. Other recordings related to that day, while significant, often lack the clarity and completeness provided by Carpenter's film.

The footage resurfaced when James Gates, the grandson of Dale Carpenter Sr., went through family films stored in a milk crate. Gates expressed shock at discovering the intimate and critical historical moment captured in the footage. The potential implications of its release have sparked discussions about the cinematic portrayal of tragedy and the ethics surrounding such auctions of historical artifacts.

The auction house has shared still images from the film, although the specific footage showing the limousines racing toward the hospital has not been publicly revealed. The full auction event is anticipated to draw significant attention, particularly as it coincides with ongoing retrospectives regarding the impact of Kennedy's presidency and his untimely murder.

The assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, was not only a national tragedy but a pivotal event in American history. Footage from that day, including the famous Zapruder film, has been pivotal for historical analysis and public reflection. The auction has raised questions about how such materials should be handled, especially given the emotional weight they carry.

Stephen Fagin, curator at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, acknowledged that materials related to the assassination continue to emerge over 60 years later, reflecting society's ongoing interest in this monumental event. As revelations of previously unknown footage become public knowledge, it shapes the narrative around Kennedy's assassination and the culture surrounding historical documentation.

The planned auction is expected to include fierce competition among bidders, with historical footage often commanding high prices in the collecting community. Some collectors view such items merely as investments, while others appreciate their significance as memorials to figures and events that changed the course of the nation. The inherent struggle between preservation of historical memory and commercialization remains a critical point of discussion as the September auction approaches.