Bonnie & Clyde History Notes

The history of Bonnie & Clyde inspires impassioned comment & investigation worldwide-- as evidenced by those who've now visited this blog, from "188" countries and growing.  As such, Kiribati, Gambia, Swaziland and Liberia are the latest to join the The Bonnie & Clyde History League of Nations.  "Welcome" to all.

Here you can explore a myriad of historical posts, research, photos, comments and media applications of Bonnie and Clyde History-- as told with "the truth" as the guiding principle concerning all that appears on this site.  

What's new on the blog??  Important new info has been posted concerning the RR Auction of Bonnie's death glasses.         

As "Summer is upon us"-- I hope all are well.  Please look for new posts coming soon on The Bonnie & Clyde History Blog.  

And don't look now-- but the 'ol B&CHB is just 5 countries away, from being visited by Bonnie & Clyde aficionados from every country on earth.  A remarkable thing-- but so is this history.  

For those less familiar with me-- among my Bonnie & Clyde expressions, I've provided talks and historical programs for a variety of premier Bonnie and Clyde forums-- including The Authentic Bonnie and Clyde Festival Gibsland, Louisiana-- The Dallas Historical Society and The National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington D.C.  I've contributed to Bonnie & Clyde's Hideout and authored a slew of historical articles here on The B&CHB.  More complete bio << blog left.  

Many of my authentic Bonnie & Clyde historical pieces, including The Bonnie & Clyde Signatures, Bonnie's poem "The Saga of Bonnie and Desperate Clyde", Billie Parker's manuscript and numerous items owned by Blanche Barrow-- housed for many years at The National Museum of Crime and Punishment.. are headed once again to Dallas.  So look for further info, concerning this redeployment of B&C artifacts soon.     
  
Feel free to join this site << bottom blog left, to exchange your views with myself and other caring B&C enthusiasts concerning this history.  Thoughtful and polite comment will gladly be posted.  However, as protections are in place to discourage impolite, crass, insulting and scurrilous banter-- comments are reviewed prior to appearing.  **Note-- anonymous comments are not allowed, nor will they be posted.

Please view an extensive selection of archived posts here concerning this history-- along with my thanks for visiting The Bonnie & Clyde History Blog.

Always keep Frank Ballinger in your prayers as he progresses in breaking the grip of cancer.  Visit Frank's wonderful Bonnie & Clyde's Hideout whenever you can.  Link << blog left. 

Contact info-- Questions, Suggestions, Insights and Discoveries to Investigate or Share-- Historical talks and bookings-- Research requests & authentications-- you can reach me at bchistory@optonline.net  

Also, please look for me on Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/awinston.woodward

bonnieandclydehistory.blogspot.com--
aka Bonnie and (&) Clyde History and The Bonnie and (&) Clyde History Blog-- all content, expressions, images and opinions are ©2009-2017 by A. Winston Woodward with all rights reserved.

Bonnie Parker Death Glasses Pulled From RR Auction Pending Addt DNA Testing

Perhaps the best way I can report on this.. is to use Bobby Livingston's statement with permission and verbatim.  I credit Mr. Livingston and RR Auctions greatly, for their unique desire to test the Bonnie Death Glasses for a DNA match.. and Rhea Leen Linder (Bonnie's Niece)-- for providing a DNA sample for testing. Through Mr. Livingston, I have expressed my hope, the current owner of the glasses will pursue additional DNA testing.. both for history's sake and the sake of those who would like to carry on conservatorship of the glasses.

Is this a pointed disappointment for Bonnie & Clyde History and all involved with the auction??
"You bet".  

Is pulling the glasses hopefully pending further testing the right thing to do??  In my judgement.. Yes.

So for all interested.. here is Mr.  Livingston's statement from RR Auctions.  As always-- my best to all.

This item has been withdrawn and will be re-listed for auction pending further investigation. A preliminary DNA test of the substance on the glasses conducted by a leading university laboratory yielded an inconclusive result. Extractions from samples taken from three locations (right lens, left lens, and rim) recovered very low DNA quantities, and a small amount of male DNA was detected; this could very well be contamination from handling of the glasses after Parker’s death. The inconclusive results may also be due to degradation over the last 83 years.. Further testing would need to be undertaken to determine whether this is Parker’s genetic material. We have obtained a reference DNA sample from Parker’s niece for comparison in case additional testing is pursued by the consignor prior to re-listing the item at a future date. The original 1938 paperwork and transmittal envelope accompanying the glasses are not in question by RR Auction.

The RR Auction-- Some of This.. Some of That.. and Some "Stellar" Bonnie & Clyde Artifacts Changing Hands.

Had a very pleasant conversation with Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President of Boston's RR Auctions.. concerning the more than exiting upcoming auction of some "Premier" Bonnie & Clyde artifacts.  Of course, Bonnie's death glasses are the featured item, but other stellar artifacts of note will be offered as well-- including the original Clyde to Raymond Hamilton "So Long" letter, likely penned by Bonnie.  

I'm attaching link here to the auction, for all around the world who may be interested in bidding-- to have a go at Bonnie & Clyde historical greatness.   Please delve into the RR website, to make note of the dates and rules involved if you plan on participating.  

Any questions concerning stated provenances and particulars should be addressed please to RR Auctions. Of course, I am always available to run your questions by-- concerning my knowledge or opinions of items or their provenance.

Again, I'd like to state my hope.. that whomever purchases Bonnie & Clyde artifacts from this auction, will graciously share Bonnie & Clyde History with all-- in offering these items for display in future Bonnie & Clyde public events.  

Auction link-- https://www.rrauction.com/Bonnie-and-Clyde-Memorabilia-Auction.htm

Additional pics-- 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yqwkb7powmzu140/AADoxtXbgCjIRAcJIcfw5Z5sa?dl=0

Dallas Observer article/more items and images--

http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/5-coolest-bonnie-and-clyde-artifacts-9369840

Bonnie & Clyde History is "Remarkable" history.. so jump in and enjoy!!   "Oh"-- And why use the Bonnie & Clyde "kissing" photo for this post?? Well, while others are busy picking over their stuff.. I just thought it right to provide an image of them, un-bloodied and within a moment of happiness. 

My best to all.. 
              

Endgame To Poignancy.. Bonnie's Death Glasses Come To Auction

"It's Deja Vu all over again".  With Bonnie's death glasses now coming to auction.. please view the current Dallas Morning News article concerning this remarkable event.. as well as links to both articles as published here on the blog, referenced within the Dallas article regarding Bonnie's glasses.

I'm so sorry to hear Steve from Massachusetts is no longer with us. I'm sure all who care for Bonnie & Clyde History "Thank" Steve immensely.. for his long-term preservation of Bonnie's glasses. Hopefully.. whomever purchases the glasses, will provide the same good stewardship of this uniquely remarkable artifact-- and be willing to allow display for all to view.  

I would think Bonnie's glasses, the only Bonnie & Clyde artifact sans the Death Car seats (well worn now).. and Clyde's death clothing, long ago laundered and with some cut into little swatches-- to possess DNA from Bonnie & Clyde.  I don't know about you-- but just as with John Lennon's blood-stained glasses.. in viewing Bonnie's preserved blood, splattered and frozen in time from the instant she was killed in May of "34.. that realization, is at least thought-provoking-- and for many, more than mesmerizing in it's poignancy and emotion.. regardless of personal impressions concerning the immortal West Dallas desperadoes.

Is any history more demanding and enjoyable than Bonnie & Clyde History??  I would think not.. for all who dare to delve into it.   

The Dallas Morning News article link..         

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/west-dallas-1/2017/04/07/bonnie-parkers-blood-caked-glasses-never-seen-public-display-dallas-going-auction

To view both prior blog articles concerning Bonnie's death glasses referenced by the Dallas Morning News.. go to blog search engine (blog left near top)-- and enter Bonnie's glasses.  Both articles will appear.

My renewed thanks to Jason, for having contacted me with news that he had the issue of the Shreveport paper from May of '34.. with seemingly the only reference to Bonnie's glasses in stunning detail-- which provided both hammer and nail, to nail down provenance for the glasses. Jason was most gracious, in wanting scans of this key article posted on The B&CHB for benefit of the glasses and history.    

My thanks as well to friend and Civil War Historian Tom Burke.. for sending the Dallas article to me. I'm sure other news outlets have covered this.. but of course it's the Dallas view, most who focus on this history will be interested in.  BTW-- As this is both a serious and heart-felt effort on my part.. I always and very much appreciate, whenever The B&CHB is acknowledged. 

Also I think it good, when Dallas remembers Bonnie & Clyde (not done much anymore). Not that this history necessarily be prideful for the city sprawling upon the banks of the Trinity River-- but surely, history shouldn't be ignored and "swept under the rug".. but rather remembered with eyes wide open, for the reality it was-- complete with all it's human lessons and consequences.