Post #2 (Exhibits)

Handwritten Notes from Trail

The first artifact that I choose is a document that Mr. James Donovan wrote, during the pre-trail stages. In the document Mr. Donovan discusses the matter of "why would anyone want to defend that son of a ____?". This is a very important document, because it shows how James Donovan did not want to defend Mr. Rudolf Abel at first.  Once Donovan decided to defend Abel, the topic was very controversial across the country and led to many prejudices toward Donovan and his family. The original document will be on display for the guests to see at the party.

Handwritten Notes From Mr.Donavan's assistant

This document is a handwritten account of when Mr. Donovan, was making plans to stay in Germany, while discussing the the prisoner exchange between Powers and Abel. The note shows how much his costs will be, and where he will be staying. This is a very important note, because it shows James Donovan's plans and itinerary for when he would be in Germany. The original document will be on display for the guests to see at the party. 

Donovan's Trail Document

This document explains why James Donovan was chosen to defend the Russian spy Rudolf Abel. One of the main reasons that Donovan was chosen was, because of his outstanding work that he had done with the Nuremberg Trials. Many Americans thought that Abel should be hung or killed for what he had done, but James Donovan was able to lower his charges to 45 years in prison. The title of the document is the U.S. vs Abel, this shows how the United States as a whole were very against the Russian "Master Spy" Rudolf Abel and what he had done. The original document will be on display for the guests to see at the party. 

J.F.K's thank-you note to Donovan

This is a thank you note, written by the president John F. Kennedy. Kennedy is thanking Donovan for what he has done for his country and for his courage. This note, shows the importance of James Donovan's career, without Mr. Donovan the prisoner exchange would have never happened. The original document will be on display for the guests to see at the party. 

Rudolf Abel's encrypted code

This document is an encrypted code of the message that Rudolf Abel receive from the Russians. This document was encrypted by David Khan, a F.B.I. agent. This code was found in a hollow quarter, that was dropped by a local newspaper boy in Brooklyn. This original document will be on display at the party for the guests to see and can try to solve what the original code with numbers means. 

U-2 Spy Plane

The U-2 plane was the aircraft that Gary Francis Powers fly over Russia. During Lt. Powers flight  he was shot down by the Soviets. The plane was designed to be very lightweight, and flimsy. This lightweight plane could reach altitudes up to 80,000 feet. When Gary Francis Powers flew over deep Russian territory, he was cruising at 70,000 feet, before being shot down. The plane uses high pixel cameras to shoot down from the high altitudes. The original plane and cameras will be on display for guests to sit inside and look at. 

New York Times Newspaper

This is a New York Times Newspaper that has the prisoner exchange article in the top left column. The article reads "Powers is Freed by Soviet in an exchange for Abel; U-2 Pilot on the Way to U.S.". This is a very important article, because it released the information to the United States citizens that Powers and Abel had been exchanged. I will have the original New York Times Paper that was produced on February 18, at the party for guests to read and enjoy. 

Adolf's Hollow Quarter

The last exhibit is a hollow quarter, used by the Soviets to send secret messages to spies in the United States. A local newspaper boy in Brooklyn found a hollow quarter with a piece of paper with a letter in it. This quarter was later turned into the F.B.I., who later encrypted the message with numbers in it. The F.B.I. found where Abel had been living and working. Abel had owned a small apartment in Brooklyn and used it as a home and a local art studio. This quarter was a key piece in the investigation of Abel, and future Russian spies. This quarter will be on displayed at the party, as well as the secret code with numbers that was hidden in the quarter. 

https://www.hoover.org/slideshows/artifacts-related-espionage-and-defense-rudolf-abel-james-b-donovan-collection

https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/hollow-nickel-rudolph-abel

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0210.html

Hisotry.com (History.com), U-2 Spy Plane Incident, August 21, 2018