Lot 441
King, Martin Luther, Jr (1928-1969) African American clergyman and civil rights leader. Typed Letter Signed as co-pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia, one page, 11 x 8½ in., Nov. 2, 1961. To Robert W. Thomas at Northwestern University, regretting that he cannot accept an invitation "to appear on Northerwestern University's television program, YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT." King explains why he has to refuse the invitation. In part,: "…Because of the present temper of events in this section of the country, I have had to adopt a policy of spending more time in the south. This means that I can only accept a limited number of engagements outside the south….I have accepted the maximum number for the 1961-62 academic year…." Fine condition.
The Civil Rights movement had begun to unfold and King was at its head. Because of his work and that of the members of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, the Interstate Commerce Commission banned segregation in interstate travel in November 1961, the same month that King wrote this letter. The first Freedom Ride through the South was undertaken by the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregation in interstate transportation. Until his assassination on April 4, 1968, King lead the fight for racial equality.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $4,080 |
