233

Papers of Jack "Doctor Death" Kevorkian relating to his campaign for legal euthanasia.

Various places, 1982-2007
46 leaves; generally minimal wear.

The physician Murad Jacob "Jack" Kevorkian (1928-2011) was America's leading proponent of euthanasia in the 1980s and 1990s, earning the nickname "Dr. Death." He was prosecuted several times for assisting in suicides, and was jailed from 1998 to 2007. Although many of his practices were extremely controversial during his lifetime, assisted suicide has since entered the realm of acceptable public discourse. This lot traces his rise to prominence, his conflicts with the law, and his prison sentence.

Group of 12 letters of rejection from medical publishers for various articles and advertisements, and 3 letters from Kevorkian to journal publishers, 1982-1998.

"Interviews with Three Prisoners on San Quentin's Death Row," Kevorkian's unsigned 2-page typed report on inmates who would welcome the option of lethal injection, 1984.

2 related petitions gathered by Kevorkian and signed by 25 San Quentin prisoners in favor of voluntary lethal injection, July 1984. With a photocopy of a letter from a condemned prisoner who had been interviewed by Kevorkian: "If I must die, I must, but your way woud be much more humane." October 1958.

Letter Signed by Nobel-winning Harvard biologist George Wald to Kevorkian: "I not only repudiate completely the barbarities you are proposing; I am equally shocked by the hypocritical cant with which you propose them. Frankly, I think you are a wretched person." With two photocopies of Kevorkian's similarly unfriendly response. Cambridge, MA, 7 April 1984.

Kevorkian's correspondence with Amnon Carmi of Haifa, Israel, editor of the journal "Medicine and Law." 4 Letters Signed by Carmi, and 4 unsigned typescript carbon responses by Kevorkian. They discuss the submission of two of Kevorkian's papers for publication: "Execution Worthy of Man" and "A Comprehensive Bioethical Code for Medical Exploitation of Humans Facing Imminent and Unavoidable Death," which Kevorkian acknowledges is "controversial and could be debated at length. . . . The present state of affairs demands forceful rhetoric." 1985-1988.

Letter to Kevorkian from the editor of Milbank Quarterly, regarding his submission of the paper "Exact Thinking on the Buying and Selling of Human Organs." "It has been difficult to find just the right match between your challenging views and rigorous qualified reviewers." New York, 26 August 1987.

Kevorkian's retained typescript of a letter to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation. "I have begun a unique medical practice: to assist the rational suicide of patients who . . . have decided that the quality of life for them has degenerated to intolerable levels." Royal Oak, MI, 23 January 1990.

3 partial letters from Joseph Tushkowski of Las Vegas, NV seeking assisted suicide, each with notes by Kevorkian (one signed JK). One reads "I am so weak & helpless and I look like a skelton. . . . Every day of my life is torementing. . . . My prayer & hope is you to assist me in dying." After Kevorkian asked for his medical records, the patient followed up: "You are a very courages person for people suffering so bad." Kevorkian noted on this letter: "Speaks well. Paralyzed chest down. Can move arms, but fingers hard to control. Wheelchair. Mother agrees, will accompany. . . . Brother & sister don't know." The case was widely covered in the media. With photocopies of letters between Kevorkian and a Dutch medical professor regarding efforts to donate Tushkowski's organs. 1997-1998

Press release, "Drs. Kevorkian and Reding Urge Defeat of Proposal B," 19 October 1998.

Manuscript circular letter drafted by Kevorkian to be photocopied and sent to national leaders over his signature, arguing for "the issue of medical euthanasia, or physician aid in dying." Egeler Correctional Facility, Jackson, MI, 15 September 2000.

6 sheets of manuscript notes taken by Kevorkian on Michigan Department of Corrections prisoner stationery, circa 2001-2007: detailed notes on two books he was reading (Tierno's 2001 "The Secret Life of Germs" and Bondeson's 2001 "Buried Alive"), with a list of aphorisms by dozens of authors. Also a list of 23 important inventions throughout history, on the verso of Kevorkian's Lakeland Correctional Facility "Offender Daily Schedule" for 29 January 2007. 

Provenance: Hutter Auction Galleries sale of the Kevorkian estate, 28 October 2011, lots 42-45, 47, 49, 50, 53, 54, 57, and 58, to the consignor (catalogue included).

  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000