July 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, July 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/27/2017
Elijah Muhammad typed letter signed, dated 6 January 1947, shortly after Muhammad's stint in prison for sedition. During his four year absence the Nation of Islam stagnated, forcing Muhammad to address festering problems in various temples upon his release, as is the focus of this letter; in addition to addressing issues in Temple #4, he gives his blessing to a ''Brother'' marrying a ''little Sister'' still in school. Muhammad writes from Chicago to Benjamin Mitchell, one of his first converts to the Nation of Islam: ''Dear dear beloved Brother...this case you mentioned to me, seems to have all the names of the officials involved. You say such has been going on quite awhile, even when we were in prison...the Sister you spoke of and you tell me she has left town or cannot be found by the investigators. I don't see what you can do with the case until you can bring the Sister before the Temple for trial. That is true the Devil is after making you remove the bulletin board, but they must have a law prohibiting such sign before a religious place of meeting. Otherwise it cannot be done, there being no law against it...first tell your wife I chose her to be the Captain, she was my preference. Go to the Temple and make it know [sic] that your wife was my selection and that the little Sister's (AgnesX) actions came as a complete surprize [sic] to me...If you say so I will remove her from her position at once and fine another Sister who will be more capable if you say so. I will not tolerate one with such high position to take a message from me and cause other than peace...Deep in her little imposing mind she really wanted her Sister Margaret or her Mother for Captain. In the future I shall never trust her to carry any message...Letter rec'd this morning from a Bro. there by the name of Benjamin X.X. wanting to marry some little Sister who was in school and has been picked up by the truant officer for failure to attend. She is in an institution so he writes, but he desires to wed her just the same; also she is in the Temple. Her name is Sister Mary Louise X.X.X. It is alright with me for him to marry her...[signed] Your bro. E. Mohammed''. Two page letter, on two sheets, measures 8.5'' x 11''. With original transmittal envelope. Folds, otherwise letter is near fine.
Elijah Muhammad Letter Signed From 1947 Shortly After Prison -- With Excellent Content on Early Nation of Islam -- ''...such has been going on quite awhile, even when we were in prison...''
Click above for larger image.