Teenaged Sirhan Sirhan in Junior High School Yearbook

A 1960 yearbook from Charles W. Eliot Middle School in Pasadena, California, showing the school portrait of sixteen-year-old student Sirhan Sirhan (born 1944). Eight years later on June 5, 1968, Sirhan Sirhan fatally shot aspiring Democratic Party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) in the ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, and also wounded five others. Provenance: From the collection of Ron Hoskins, assassinologist.

The 32pp school yearbook printed in neon green, black, and white belonged to a student named Dennis Cissel. Sirhan's photograph can be found on page 14 of the yearbook, in the sixth row and fifth column of the "Master Craftsman" section (a grade level corresponding with third year status). Scattered hand-written farewell messages from classmates and faculty members can be found throughout, especially on the back cover. Expected wear including uneven toning and wrinkles to the covers, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

Though traditional in its format today, the Charles W. Eliot Middle School may have had a vocational focus when Sirhan Sirhan attended school there. The students in order of grade level were called "Apprentices," "Journeymen," and "Master Craftsmen" while the teachers were called "Foremen" and the principal "Chief Engineer." A Palestinian-born immigrant, Sirhan Sirhan appears to have been one of the few minority students enrolled in the student body in 1960.

The yearbook is a fascinating artifact independent of its connections with Sirhan Sirhan. Student organizations -- termed "craft unions" and "trade unions" -- included the Stamp Club, the Bongo Club, the Library Practice Club, the 8 & 9 Homemaking Club, the Pom Pon Girls, and the Future Nurses Club.

Sirhan Sirhan may appear in other sections of the yearbook. Definitely deserving of future study!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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