January 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, January 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
Two handwritten notes from 1956 and 1957, each commenting distinctly on the Montgomery Bus Boycott which changed the course of the Civil Rights Movement. First is a postcard from California with an 11 March 1956 postmark. Addressed to the ''Montgomery Bus Striks [sic] Boycotters Dept.,'' the unknown writer expresses disdain for the boycotters: ''Shame on you people putting people of God in jail who works for the good of you people. Did god tell you people to put his people in jail. No no no. you people are a disgrace to the people of USA. you people are a booster for Red Russia. God will take care of you bad people in due time. Shame on you again you people were made the same as the negro...all go 6 ft. below down down to hell shame on you people of the south period. Do you people read the Holy BIBLE? No. period shame, shame. again shame on city of mon[tgomery]. Al.'' The second is a 28 January 1857 note describing the desegregation after it took effect in December of 1956. Unidentified author writes, ''Georgia Gilmore called, she said that a white woman got on Oak Park Bus this morn and tried to get negroes to sign their names to a petition, however, she would not let anybody read it. She said that it was a petition for whites to have buses for themselves.'' Postcard measures 3.25'' x 5.5'' with minor toning. Second 1pp. note measures 4'' x 6'' with some toning and folds. Overall very good. From the collection of Maude Ballou, Martin Luther King Jr.'s close friend and personal secretary.
Pair of Letters Relating to the Montgomery Bus Boycott & Expressing the Racist Sentiments of the Era -- From the Collection of Maude Ballou, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Secretary
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