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FREE APPRAISAL — Sell Your Martin Luther King Autograph for up to $27,870 at NateDSanders.com Auctions

FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Martin Luther King autograph or a Martin Luther King autograph letter signed that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

Martin Luther King Autograph

We at NateDSanders.com Auctions, have sold some of the best and most important Martin Luther King autograph items, worthy of a museum.  Please view each below:

Martin Luther King Autograph Quotation in His Book – “The strong man is the man who can stand up for his rights and not hit back”

Martin Luther King autograph in his book, “Stride Toward Freedom” where King writes: “The strong man is the man who can stand up for his rights and not hit back.  Martin Luther King, Jr. (signed)” Stated first edition book contains “H-H” on the copyright page, confirming true first printing. Original dustjacket shows price of $2.95 to inner front flap; “8471A” and “8472A” appear to lower front and rear inner flaps respectively. Narration to front inner flap of dustjacket begins “They strode to freedom…” In fine condition with dustjacket. Only one small flaw being a taped upper right corner on the first page.  The best ever Martin Luther King autograph in his books.  Sold for $27,870.

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Martin Luther King Signed First Printing of “Stride Toward Freedom” Without Inscription — With University Archives COA

Martin Luther King, Jr. signed first edition, first printing of “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story”. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1958 with “H-H” on copyright page designating true first printing. King signs the front free endpaper with no inscription, “Best Wishes / Martin L. King Jr.” in fine blue felt-tip. Housed in original dust jacket showing $2.95 price, book measures 5.75″ x 8.25″ and runs 230pp. Minor paper loss to jacket and dampstaining on rear. Book has light shelf wear and mild toning to front free endpaper, and very minor staining to rear board, overall in very good plus condition. With University Archives COA. Sold for $25,200.

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Martin Luther King Autograph Dedication in His Book – “your willingness to suffer and be persecuted for righteousness sake, and your unswerving devotion to the ideals of freedom and justice for all”

Martin Luther King autograph in his book “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story”.  New York: Harper & Brothers: 1958. Inscription to the British humanitarian Reverend Michael Scott reads…To Michael Scott / In appreciation for your great Christian witness, your broad humanitarian concern, your willingness to suffer and be persecuted for righteousness sake, and your unswerving devotion to the ideals of freedom and justice for all. With warm Regards, Martin L. King Jr.”. “Stride Toward Freedom” was Dr. King’s first book, published three years after he led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. The book documents significant events of the burgeoning Civil Rights movement and is illustrated with several black and white photographs, including an iconic photograph of Rosa Parks being fingerprinted and one of an almost-empty bus during the height of the protest. Octavo hardcover runs 230pp. with original blue boards, black backstrip, silver lettering to spine and round silver publisher’s monogram to lower corner of upper cover. Top and bottom edges of backstrip bumped. Corners slightly worn. Dustjacket spine is faded and contains a stain to the upper portion. Dustjacket edges chipped and slightly torn; foxing and wear to back and front. Dustjacket fair; book itself excellent condition. Lengthy personal Martin Luther King autograph inscriptions such as this are exceedingly rare making this an exceptional piece in very good condition. Sold for $19,036.

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Martin Luther King Autograph Speech Accepting the NAACP 1957 Spingarn Medal for the Montgomery Bus Boycott — ”…it is ultimately more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation…”

Martin Luther King autograph acceptance speech for his leadership in the historic Montgomery bus boycott. King boldly signs the first page of the speech, Best Wishes / To Ruth / M.L. King Jr.” on 28 June 1957, the day he accepted the Spingarn Medal, an annual award bestowed by the NAACP for outstanding achievement by an African American. Its recipients include Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall and Rosa Parks, the woman who ignited the boycott that would result in the 1956 Supreme Court decision declaring bus segregation unconstitutional. King’s 14 page speech is an inspiration to all those who grow impatient with the speed of justice and question the best route to get there. It reads in part,

”…This is an honor that I will cherish so long as the chords of memory shall lengthen…In accepting this award I would like to feel that you are really honoring the 50,000 Negro citizens of Montgomery, Alabama, who more than a year ago came to see that it is ultimately more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation…” Bold Martin Luther King autograph at the bottom.  In fine condition. Sold for $18,750.

Martin Luther King Autograph Martin Luther King Signed Speech Accepting the NAACP 1957 Spingarn Medal for the Montgomery Bus Boycott -- ''...it is ultimately more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation...'' Martin Luther King Autograph Martin Luther King Signed Speech Accepting the NAACP 1957 Spingarn Medal for the Montgomery Bus Boycott -- ''...it is ultimately more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation...''
Martin Luther King Signed Speech Accepting the NAACP 1957 Spingarn Medal for the Montgomery Bus Boycott — ”…it is ultimately more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation…” / Click above for larger image.

Martin Luther King Autograph on His Record Album of “The Great March on Washington” — With PSA/DNA COA

Martin Luther King, autograph on his record of the speeches recorded at the “March on Washington” on 28 August 1963. Album cover is inscribed by King, “Best wishes / Martin Luther King” in black felt tip. Album is Motown Records’ 1963 release, “The Great March on Washington”, featuring Liz Lands’ civil rights movement anthem, “We Shall Overcome” as well as speeches delivered by King and other civil rights leaders. Toning and edge wear to cover, else near fine. With certificate of authenticity from PSA/DNA certifying the authenticity of this Martin Luther King autograph.  Sold for $17,490.

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Martin Luther King Autograph Letter — With Incredible Content — “…southern Negro students launched a mass offensive that is cracking the walls of segregation…”

Martin Luther King autograph letter unsigned, circa 1960. Five page letter is written in a stenographic notebook addressed simply, “Dear Friend” and discusses MLK’s desire to raise funds for the growing Southern Leadership Conference, the cornerstone to his movement. He cites three specific conflicts in the movement at that time. Reads in full: “This is a form letter. But I want you to know that it is as serious and personal as anything I have ever written. It is an appeal for your support for the southern freedom struggle. Therefore, I hope you will read every word of this letter with deep and sympathetic concern. In recent months, three developments have combined to create a civil rights crisis of historic depth and magnitude: First, southern Negro students launched a mass offensive that is cracking the walls of segregation. These courageous young students have given to America a glowing example of disciplined non-violent action. In retaliation, the Southern racists have expelled them from schools, arrested and jailed them, inflicted them with heavy fines, and inflicted violence upon them. Second, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is spearheading a crusade to bring hundreds of thousands of new votes into the 1960 election. The success of this campaign would, we are convinced, be one of the most important steps for winning the Negroes’ equal rights in America. Third, as the student sit-ins and voting crusades struggled on with grim determination, a vicious attack was directed against me personally. With calculation, the state of Alabama indicted me on obviously false charges of perjury. When they moved to aid me, four of my ministerial colleagues were also struck by the state. Their names having appeared on an advertisement in the New York Times appealing for funds on my behalf and the students. Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, Rev. Joe E. Lowery, and S.S. Seay are being sued by the City Commission of Montgomery and the governor of Alabama for 2 1/2 million dollars for libel. All of these developments have placed upon the shoulders of our young but determined organization tremendous financial responsibilities. We are constantly called upon to assist the students in financing their heroic movement. As you probably know the famous Conference of student leaders held at the University was sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership conference.” King then writes a list to himself of reminders, including to send a telegram to the NAACP, to check for flight schedules, to call Bayard Rustin with regard to a party, etc. The rest of the notebook has reminders to King, Jr. of people he needs to call back, etc., not in his hand. Stenographic notebook measures 6″ x 9.5″ with some toning, else near fine condition. From the Maude Ballou Civil Rights Papers. Better than a Martin Luther King autograph letter signed.  Sold for $16,200.

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Martin Luther King Signed First Edition of ”Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” — Scarce Title Signed by King

Martin Luther King, Jr. signed first edition of ”Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?”, scarce as signed. New York: Harper & Row, 1967. Complete in original dust jacket, King signs the front free endpaper in blue ballpoint, ”To Miss Virginia Kracke / In appreciation for your great support / Martin Luther King Jr.” Published in 1967, this would be King’s last book before his assassination, with topics ranging from the 1967 riots to the Vietnam War, and calling ultimately for human rights, hope and reconciliation. Book measures 6” x 8.5”, bound in black and yellow boards with gilt lettering. Housed in dust jacket with price of $4.95. Small stain on rear jacket, otherwise both the book and jacket are in near fine condition. Sold for $16,106.

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Martin Luther King Autograph Copy of His Nobel Peace Prize Program — The First We Have Seen With No Auction Records of Any Previously and Possibly the Only One Extant

Martin Luther King autograph in his program for the 10 December 1964 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, signed by King during the reception held in his honor at the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway. King, at 35 the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, signs ”Martin Luther King” on the front cover of the program. Elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, an organization to provide new leadership for the burgeoning civil rights movement, King based his ideals for this organization on Christian principles and nonviolent methods of Mahatma Gandhi. As the symbolic leader of the movement to end racial segregation and discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means, he was singled out by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to receive the Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement. The card style program, in Norwegian, listing music to be performed, including a selection from Gershwin’s ”Porgy and Bess,” and the names of speakers, including King, measures approximately 5.5” x 7.5”. Light foxing, else near fine. A moving tribute to American hero, Martin Luther King.  Dark Martin Luther King autograph.  Sold for $14,032.

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Martin Luther King Autograph on a Copy of His Nobel Peace Prize Program — The First We Have Seen With No Auction Records of Any Previously and Possibly the Only One Extant

Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed First Edition of ”Strength To Love” With Long Inscription, ”Whose genuine humanitarian concern and unswerving devotion to the principles of justice and freedom…”

Martin Luther King, Jr. signed first edition of ”Strength to Love”, with one of the longest and personal inscriptions by Dr. King that we have seen. New York: Harper & Row, 1963. King writes to fellow Atlanta Civil Rights activist Gerry Reed, a white dentist (King’s dentist, in fact), who spearheaded efforts to employ African Americans through his work with the SCLC. Inscription reads in full, ”To my Friend Gerry Reed / Whose genuine humanitarian concern and unswerving devotion to the principles of justice and freedom are inspiring indeed / Martin”. Signed on the front free endpaper in blue ballpoint. Book measures 5.875” x 8.5”. Light shelf wear, and discoloration to endpapers. Overall very good condition. With original dust jacket showing $3.50 price; some chipping and discoloration, also in very good condition. Sold for $13,750.

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Incredible Martin Luther King Autograph Draft Handwritten Pages For ”Stride Toward Freedom” — Detailing the Momentous Rosa Parks Incident — ”…they agreed that the Negroes should boycott the buses…”

Truly rare Martin Luther King autograph draft pages from Chapter 3 of his important civil rights book, ”Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story”. Dr. King’s first book was published in 1958 when he was only 29 years old. The book provides a moving account of successful nonviolent resistance in the 1955-56 Montgomery, Alabama bus strike amid the burgeoning civil rights movement. Here, Dr. King puts pen to paper to powerfully document in his own words what is single-handedly one of the most important moments in civil rights history, when Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama. Handwritten manuscript reads in full, ”(I meant the paragraph in place of first sentence of sentence paragraph 12A) / Only E.D. Nixon the signer of Mrs. Parks land – and one or two other persons were aware of the arrest when it occurred early Thursday evening. Late in the evening the word got around to a few influential women of the community, mostly members of the Women’s Political Council. After a series of telephone calls back and forth they agreed that the Negroes should boycott the buses. They immediately suggested the idea to Nixon and he readily convened in his usual courageous manner he agreed to spearhead the idea. Just before calling me Nixon had decided the idea with Rev. Ralph…” 2pp. draft measures 8.5” x 11” in black ink, with some edits in red ink. Very minor toning, else near fine condition. From the collection of Maude Ballou, Martin Luther King Jr.’s close friend and personal secretary.  Sold for $12,500.
Martin Luther King autograph

Incredible Martin Luther King Handwritten Pages For ”Stride Toward Freedom” — Detailing the Momentous Rosa Parks Incident — ”…they agreed that the Negroes should boycott the buses…”

 

Outstanding Martin Luther King, Jr. Handwritten Signed Quote: ”Love is the greatest force in the universe…He who loves is a participant in the being of God” — With University Archives COA

Scarce and special handwritten quote signed by Martin Luther King, Jr., on the importance and power of love. In bold ballpoint, King pens the following, ”Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. He who loves is a participant in the being of God. / Best Wishes / Martin Luther King Jr.”. Card that accompanies the text is dated 13 May 1957, which precedes by a few months King’s famous sermon, ”Loving Your Enemies”, delivered in November 1957. The notion of love without condition, extended to one’s enemies as well as allies, is a theme that emanates throughout King’s writing, and what he believed to be the cornerstone of nonviolent activism. Although King’s sermons and writings often come back to the theme of love, this handwritten signed quote reflecting on it is extraordinarily rare. Card measures 5” x 3” with slight paperclip impression at top edge. Affixed by two small pieces of tape at upper left and lower right corners to a piece of cardboard measuring 9” x 7”, which also bears a stamp from the Montgomery Improvement Association reading ”Pray for Peace”. Near fine condition. With University Archives COA. Sold for $10,000.

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Martin Luther King Signed First Edition of “Stride Toward Freedom” Without Inscription

Martin Luther King, Jr. signed first edition of “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story”. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1958. King signs the front free endpaper with no inscription, “Best Wishes / Martin L. King Jr.” in black felt-tip. Book measures 5.75″ x 8.375″ and runs 230pp. Moderate shelf wear, and “Autographia” and the number 60 written in pencil above his signature in another hand. Overall in very good plus condition. Sold for $8,400.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Signature — Without Inscription

Large signature by Martin Luther King, Jr., penned without inscription. In blue ballpoint King signs, “Best Wishes / Martin Luther King” on a sheet measuring 4″ x 5″. Shallow fold, creasing at edges, and some discoloration at top right, overall very good condition with a prominent signature. Sold for $7,500.

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Martin Luther King Autograph on a Typed Letter Thanking a Supporter After His Imprisonment in Albany, Georgia — “…during my recent period of incarceration…I am convinced the the barriers of segregation will be removed…”

Martin Luther King autograph on a typed letter dated 15 August 1962, just after his release from prison in Albany, Georgia. Written upon Southern Christian Leadership Conference letterhead, King writes to Ms. Dorothy Riggle. In full, “This is just a note to acknowledge receipt of your very kind letter and encouraging words during my recent period of incarceration in Albany, Georgia. Such moral support and expressions of concern are of inestimable value for the continuance of my humble efforts. The Albany situation is a difficult one, but we are consoled by the fact that some little progress is being made, and I am convinced that the barriers of segregation will be removed in that Southwest Georgia community in the not too distant future. I do hope that our efforts in Albany and other communities across the South will speed up the day when the American dream will become a reality and all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Very truly yours, Martin Luther King, Jr.” King had been released from prison in Albany in July 1962 after the Police Chief discreetly paid his fine, not wanting negative publicity from the arrest of peaceful protesters. King wrote of the incident, “We had witnessed persons being kicked off lunch counter stools…ejected from churches…and thrown into jail…But for the first time, we witnessed being kicked out of jail.” 8.5″ x 11″ letter is near fine condition with usual mailing folds. Original transmittal envelope included, postmarked 21 August 1962 from Atlanta, Georgia. Upon the envelope’s verso is written “Clipping sent – 8/28/62 / Thoreau, Gandhi, King.”  Nice Martin Luther King autograph.  Sold for $7,151.

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