Fidel Castro Handwritten Bay of Pigs Manuscript Hits the Auction Block

Important Castro Bay of Pigs related manuscript is being auctioned December 6 by University Archives. Believed to be notes for a speech given at the United Nations decrying U.S. actions in the wake of the Bay of Pigs invasion.

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University Archives

Nov 30, 2016, 06:13 ET

WESTPORT, Conn., Nov. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique Castro Bay of Pigs related manuscript, possibly notes for a speech given at the United Nations decrying U.S. actions in the wake of the Bay of Pigs invasion, is being auctioned by University Archives on December 6 on Invaluable.com. Estimated between $20,000-$25,000, the opening bid is $7,000.

Excerpt from Castro's manuscript: "...anti-revolutionaries, the war criminals and the worse …traitors, mercenaries of all type… group of expatriates and gringos coming from… the United States..."

Fidel Castro Handwritten Bay of Pigs Manuscript Hits the Auction Block

The writings are especially poignant considering the recent opening of US relations with Cuba and Castro's death. The manuscript is in Spanish, in blue ballpoint pen, with cross-outs and margin notes that gives insight into Castro's thought process.

"It's one of the best items written by Fidel Castro that I've seen in 40 years in the business," said John Reznikoff, president of University Archives. "I originally authenticated it around the year 2000, before there was much interest in Cuban history."

Reznikoff is one of the world's leading autograph authenticators and was recently called upon by ESPN to authenticate Jackie Robison's first baseball contract. Appraised at $36,000,000, it's the most valuable document ever offered for sale.

The manuscript is being auctioned in the University Archives' "All I Want for Christmas Sale" of historic autographs, relics and books. Other unique items round out the auction such as Landing maps for D-Day, A Babe Ruth signed Baseball and a Marilyn Monroe signed document. The auction takes place Dec. 6, starting at 10:30 a.m. EST, on Invaluable.com: Christmas Gift Auction Link.

University Archives Website:
http://www.universityarchives.com

Media Contact:
John Reznikoff
University Archives
(800) 237-5692

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161130/444445

SOURCE University Archives