May 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, May 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2014
Martin Luther King, Jr. 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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Autograph Letter -- With Incredible Content -- ''...southern Negro students launched a mass offensive that is cracking the walls of segregation...''
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