AUTHENTIFICATION

For more than three decades, auction houses and collectors alike have sought out Farris Rookstool III for one reason: his ability to separate speculation from fact with forensic precision. Widely recognized as the world’s foremost forensic historian of the Kennedy assassination and trained as an FBI analyst, Rookstool applies investigative methods that leave no room for doubt. His reputation rests on that standard of truth — a standard he has upheld across courtrooms, auction houses, and historical institutions worldwide.

Rookstool’s expertise has been relied upon by Sotheby’s, RR Auction, Heritage Auctions, Bonhams, Robert Edward Auctions, and others. His work is held to the same measure whether serving private collectors, Fortune 500 institutions, or in federal court: forensic precision and historical truth without compromise.

Over the course of his career, Rookstool’s forensic evaluations have shaped the historical record of some of America’s most consequential artifacts.

• Bonnie & Clyde Artifacts (2017) — Served as DNA consultant to confirm the authenticity of personal items linked to America’s most infamous outlaw couple, bringing forensic science to one of the most mythologized stories in U.S. history.
• JFK Presidential Limo License Plates (2014) — Authenticated the license plates from President Kennedy’s limousine, a direct physical link to November 22, 1963.
• Texas School Book Depository Window (2007) — Examined and authenticated the original window from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shots. His findings were pivotal in the dismissal of a related lawsuit.
• Rosa Parks Bus (2001) — Confirmed the bus on which Rosa Parks historically refused to give up her seat in 1955, allowing it to be preserved as one of the most important artifacts of the Civil Rights Movement.
• JFK Cuban Missile Crisis Map (1998) — Verified President Kennedy’s annotated map from the Situation Room during the Cuban Missile Crisis, securing its place in the permanent collection of the JFK Presidential Library.
• Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Auction, Sotheby’s (1996) — Authenticated President Kennedy’s rocking chair for one of the most closely watched auctions of the decade, ensuring the item’s integrity at the sale.
• Lee Harvey Oswald Burial Casket (1993) — Confirmed the original 1963 casket in which Oswald was buried, resolving decades of speculation and establishing a clear chain of custody.

Each of these cases reflects the same standard of truth that defines Rookstool’s work—authenticating not only the objects themselves, but the history they carry.

Rookstool’s signature does more than confirm authenticity—it changes outcomes. In 2024, his appraisal of rare footage showing President Kennedy’s motorcade rushing to Parkland Hospital resulted in a $137,500 sale at RR Auction, a result reported internationally by the Associated Press and U.S. News. Such results demonstrate why his documentation is regarded as definitive in both cultural and financial terms.

• Letters of Provenance & Authentication — Documentation that establishes a chain of custody and secures credibility with collectors, appraisers, and auction houses.
• Forensic Historical Evaluation — Drawing on methods honed as the FBI’s lead analyst on the JFK assassination.
• Historical Contextualization — Situating artifacts within their broader story, transforming collectibles into significant pieces of history.

1. Initial Review — via photographs, video, or secure Zoom.
2. Confirmation — Alignment with his firsthand knowledge and forensic records.
3. Documentation — Issuance of a signed Letter of Provenance and Authentication.
4. Professional Fee —

• Collectors: Most requests begin at $1,500. This covers review, evaluation, and preparation of a formal Letter of Provenance and Authentication. More complex or high-impact cases may be quoted individually depending on scope and historical significance.
• Institutions & Auction Houses: Because institutional and auction-related authentications often involve higher-value or complex artifacts, fees are determined on a case-by-case basis. Rookstool provides custom quotes tailored to the scope, research requirements, and impact of each request.

For Farris Rookstool III, authentication is not merely a service—it is a responsibility. His evaluations preserve the integrity of history and safeguard value for future generations. That is why the Rookstool name is recognized by serious collectors, institutions, and auction houses worldwide as a mark of truth, credibility, and trust.