- Photograph by
- Platon, British, born 1968
- Subject of
- Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968
- Date
- 2010; printed 2019
- Medium
- pigment on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W (image): 15 15/16 × 21 7/16 in. (40.5 × 54.5 cm)
- H x W (sheet): 20 × 24 in. (50.8 × 61 cm)
- H x W (matted): 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)
- Description
- A black-and-white photograph of the ticker tape announcing the shooting of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by Platon. The ticker tape is centered against a black background. Small, centered, printed black text reads [– – – REPEATING BY REQUEST – – – / UPI-201 / (KING) / MEMPHIS, TENN – – DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WAS SHOT OUTSIDE / A MEMPHIS HOTEL THIS AFTERNOON. HIS CONDITION WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY / KNOWN. / 4/4– –TS714PES / END REPEAT / UPI-204 / ADD 1 KING, MEMPHIS (UPI- / UPI-204 / ADD 2 KING, MEMPHIS / DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., WAS / SHOT AND CRITICALLY WOUNDED LATE TODAY AS HE SAT IN A CAR IN FRONT / OF A DOWNTOWN HOTEL. / 4/4– –TS735PES]. The top left corner of the ticker tape appears to be slightly crumpled. The background of the photograph is bright white. The photograph has a thick white border. The edition number, [5/12], is printed in the bottom left corner. The photographer’s signature and date, [Platon 19], is handwritten in the bottom right corner. Inside the border, at the bottom center, is the photographer’s embossed mark: [PLATON ? / EDITIONED ? / PRINT ?[encircled between two bands of embossed dots]]. The back of the photograph is plain and white.
- Place printed
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Place captured
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Photographs and Still Images
- Type
- pigment prints
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Platon
- Object number
- 2021.33.22
- Restrictions & Rights
- © Platon
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




