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Here are some Booker T Washington signatures we have sold:
Booker T. Washington Signed First Printing of His First Major Publication, “The Future of the American Negro” — Inscribed to Massachusetts Notable Arthur T. Lyman
Booker T. Washington signed first printing of “The Future of the American Negro”, the first major publication of the Civil Rights leader. Boston: Small, Maynard & Company, 1899 first printing, with matching dates on title and copyright pages, and with the following printed on copyright page: “Press of / George H. Ellis, Boston, U.S.A.” Washington inscribes the front pastedown, “To Mr. Clarence M. Hyde, from / Booker T. Washington / May 6, 1900”. Written approximately 20 years after founding Tuskegee University, “The Future of the American Negro” was Washington’s first major publication, preceding his autobiography “Up from Slavery” by two years. Volume in original red boards with gilt lettering measures 5″ x 7.75″. In beautiful, near fine condition with only minor shelf wear and slight smudging to inscription. An important signed first edition in the history of Civil Rights. Sold for $4,800.
Booker T. Washington Signed First Printing of His First Major Publication, “The Future of the American Negro” — Inscribed to Massachusetts Notable Arthur T. Lyman
Booker T. Washington signed first printing of “The Future of the American Negro”, the first major publication of the Civil Rights leader. Boston: Small, Maynard & Company, 1899 first printing, with matching dates on title and copyright pages, and with the following printed on copyright page: “Press of / George H. Ellis, Boston, U.S.A.” Washington inscribes the front pastedown, “To Mr. Arthur T. Lyman, from / Booker T. Washington / May 8, 1900.” The recipient is likely Arthur T. Lyman, Jr., related in lineage to Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent Massachusetts Democrat of his day, and mayor of Waltham, Massachusetts. Written approximately 20 years after founding Tuskegee University, “The Future of the American Negro” was Washington’s first major publication, preceding his autobiography “Up from Slavery” by two years. Volume in original red boards with gilt lettering measures 5″ x 7.75″. Minor shelf wear and toning to interior. Expert restoration including recasing front hinge. An important signed first edition in the history of Civil Rights. Sold for $4,200.
Booker T. Washington Signed Card Within First Edition of “My Larger Education”
Booker T. Washington signed card, within a first edition of “My Larger Education”. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1911. Card, with Washington’s name and Tuskegee Institute embossed at top, is affixed to front pastedown, signed in black fountain pen “Booker T. Washington”. Dated in another hand from 20 January 1915. Card measures 4.375″ x 3.5″. Book runs 313pp. and measures 5.5″ x 8″. Some shelf wear and separation starting to front joint. Overall in very good condition. Sold for $840.
Booker T. Washington Letter Signed from 1906 Regarding Tuskegee Institute
Booker T. Washington manuscript letter signed, dated 12 May 1906 on Tuskegee Institute stationery. Washington signs as Principal of the Institute, here requesting a donation, writing “Our endowment is not yet sufficient to enable us to pay the expenses without asking for help…[signed] Booker T. Washington”. Letter measures 8″ x 9.75″. Slip glued to bottom portion of letter, obscuring two letters in the signature. Some discoloration, overall in very good condition. Sold for $820.
Additionally, we sold these related items:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed “Ebony” Magazine Covering the Famous Selma-Montgomery March in 1965
Martin Luther King, Jr. signed “Ebony” magazine from May 1965 with coverage on the Selma-Montgomery march, one of the most significant events of the Civil Rights movement. Chicago: Johnson Publishing Company, 1965. King signs the cover in blue ballpoint, “To my Friend / Claude Wyatt / With Warm Personal Regards / Martin Luther King Jr.” The recipient, Rev. Claude Wyatt, marched with King from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and served in the SCLC leadership in Chicago. Magazine features dozens of photos of the last of three marches in Selma, under the headline “50,000 March on Montgomery / Martin Luther King leads Negroes, whites in most heroic civil rights protest in history”. When the first Selma-Montgomery march resulted in black Americans beaten unconscious, America and the world reacted with horror, and joined Dr. King in late March 1965 to peacefully march again. Five months later the 1965 Voting Rights was signed into law by President Johnson. Magazine measures 10″ x 13.25″. Cover split along spine fold, and partially detached from magazine. Some fading, light soiling and wear. Overall in very good condition with bold writing by King. Sold for $78,750.
Here are some additional Martin Luther King Jr. autographs that we sold:
Martin Luther King Signed Book
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
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. signed 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…They are really what Jesus called the salt of the earth. Their quiet dignity and determined courage will be a source of inspiration to generations yet unborn…One day America will realize that the NAACP has proved to be one of its best friends, for by fighting so persistently for the rights of Negroes, purely within the framework of legal democracy, it has saved the Negro from turning to some foreign ideology for the solution of his problem. The NAACP has given hope and courage to a disinherited people who dared only to dream of freedom…If I were standing at the beginning of time, and the Almightly [sic] gave me a panoramic view of the whole of history, and then proceeded to ask me which age I would prefer to live in, strangely enough I would by pass the great glory of Greek culture…I would bypass the days of the Hebrew Exodus…I would bypass the days when the Roman Empire stood at the zenith of its power with all of its intricate and astounding military machinery; I would bypass the days of the Renaissance…I would even bypass the French and American Revolutions; and finally I would turn to the Almighty and say, ‘If you will allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th Century, I will be happy.’..” Speech runs 14 pages on 14 separate sheets. ”For Release Upon Delivery” appears at top. Very light wear and creasing, and staple to upper left. Overall near fine condition. Sold for $18,750.
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.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. signed 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. Sold for $14,032.
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.
Auction your Booker T Washington signature at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email an image and description of your Booker T Washington signature to [email protected].
Martin Luther King, Jr. signed 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, lists music to be performed, including a selection from Gershwin’s ”Porgy and Bess”, and the names of speakers, including King. Measures 5.5” x 7.5”. Light foxing, else near fine. Lot is accompanied by letters and press clippings from Paul Moody, who attended the ceremony and acquired the autograph from King. A moving tribute to the American hero, Martin Luther King. Sold for $13,125.
Truly rare Martin Luther King, Jr. 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.
Incredible Malcolm X autograph letter signed to Redd Foxx, on the back of a postcard showing a photo of a chimpanzee at the ”Monkey Jungle” in Miami, Florida. Malcolm X writes to Redd Foxx in full, ”One hundred years have passed since the Civil War, and these chimpanzees get more recognition, respect & freedom in American than our people do, because even the monkeys that lead them have more sense than the monkeys that lead us. / Bro[ther] Malcolm X”. Postmarked from Miami on 19 February 1964, just 2 weeks before Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam, reportedly because of the over-control of its leaders. Postcard is addressed by Malcolm X to Redd Foxx at his home in Los Angeles. Measures 5.5” x 3.5”. With 4 cent stamp of Abraham Lincoln. Piece of tape along left side and light wear, overall in very good condition. Sold for $11,794.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed 25.75″ x 23″ Display of the Selma March — Also Signed by the Other Men in the Photo: Ralph Abernathy, James Forman and John Lewis, Plus Photographer Steve Schapiro
Incredible photo display of the Selma to Montgomery march, a cornerstone of the Civil Rights movement that precipitated passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Underneath a 19.5″ x 11″ photo of the men, whose arms are interlocked in solidarity, their signatures appear, with Martin Luther King Jr.’s autograph prominent at center. King signs “With Best Wishes, Martin Luther King”. All but one of the other Civil Rights leaders in the photo also sign: Ralph Abernathy, James Forman and John Lewis, plus photographer Steve Schapiro, with some adding inspiring notes, such as Lewis who adds, “Keep the faith” above his signature.
This photo was captured by Schapiro in March 1965 when King and the other marchers triumphantly crossed the county line into Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, to protest Jim Crow laws that prevented African Americans from voting. In one county that was over 80% African American, not one black Alabamian was registered to vote, while the white population constituted over 100% of the county rolls. In concert with the Selma marchers, President Johnson spoke before a joint session of Congress on 15 March to introduce the Voting Rights Act. It was signed into law on 6 August 1965, after which voting drive efforts to enfranchise the black population began.
Entire display with signatures measures 25.75″ x 23″. Size of signatures vary, with the visible portion of King’s measuring 3.75″ x 1.5″. Some creasing to King’s signature, which remains bold. Very good to near fine. Accompanied by a University Archives COA for King’s signature and PSA/DNA COAs for Abernathy and Lewis’ signatures. Sold for $8,925.
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.
Elizabeth Eckford Handwritten Signed 20″ x 13.375″ Photo Essay From Her First Day of School as Part of the “Little Rock Nine” — “…Someone yelled ‘Get a rope. Drag her over to the tree!’…”
Elizabeth Eckford handwritten signed essay, composed upon a 20″ x 13.375″ photograph of her first day of school at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. As one of the “Little Rock Nine”, Eckford, a young 15-year old, had to endure bullying and violence in order to attend school, as mandated by Brown v. Board of Education three years earlier. In this essay, Eckford details the horrific events of that day, but ends on a hopeful note, remembering white journalists who treated her with kindness. Composed and signed in silver felt-tip, essay reads in full,
“I am one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American teens who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at the previously all-white Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas.
The integration came as a result of Brown versus Board of Education decided by the nation’s highest court in 1954.
My ordeal was captured by press photographers on the morning of September 4, 1957. As I walked toward the school I saw Arkansas National Guard soldiers surrounding the grounds. They opened up and made space for white students to pass through. When I approached the soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder to bar me. I walked further and stopped where I could see another sidewalk leading to the school. This time the state troops crossed rifles to block me. The crowd across the street was angrily shouting. Ahead I saw the main entrance in the middle of that two block expanse. Now a soldier directed me to go across the street where the demonstrators were.
When I stepped out into the street an angry mob started following and screaming insults. Photographers were in front of me walking backwards. Someone yelled ‘Get a rope. Drag her over to the tree! Let’s hang her!’ Other voices cursed and threatened. I looked for help. When I approached an elderly woman who had a kind face, she spat on me. The mob followed me to the bus stop where two middle-aged white reporters tried to comfort me, saying don’t let them see you cry. When one reporter embraced me across my shoulder, the crowd’s anger rose in increased fury. / Elizabeth Eckford”. Satin-finish photo measures 20″ x 13.375″, printed by an Indiana University colleague of the photographer, Will Counts. Sold for $5,275.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed ”Strength To Love” Autobiography — First Edition in Dust Jacket
Martin Luther King, Jr. signed first edition of ”Strength to Love”, Dr. King’s autobiography and a collection of his most inspirational sermons and speeches. New York: Harper & Row, 1963. Inscribed ”To Major Earnest D. Muse / With Best Wishes / Martin Luther King” on the front free endpaper. Above the inscription is noted ”Los Angeles Calif. / 2-17-64”, ostensibly the date and place that King signed the book. At this time King had just completed the March on Washington and would be awarded the Nobel Peace Price later that year, before organizing the Selma march in 1965. Book is housed in its original dust jacket with $3.50 price intact. Measures 5.75” x 8.5” and runs 146pp. In publisher’s black cloth boards, book is in very good to near fine condition. Dust jacket is in very good condition. Sold for $5,035.
Original Pennant From the 1963 ”March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”
Uncommon example of one of the pennants from the ”March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” held in Washington DC on 28 August 1963 where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his ”I Have a Dream” speech. Navy, yellow and white felt pennant reads ”Civil Rights NOW!” and ”March on Washington / August 28, 1963”. Measures 29.5” long and 9” along left edge. Light staining and a few lines where it was previously folded. Overall in very good condition. Sold for $5,000.
Martin Luther King signed Lincoln Memorial program. The great civil rights leader signs “Martin Luther King” in ink along the left edge of the program’s cover. According to a notarized LOA from the autograph’s recipient, Dr. King signed the program the day after the 28 August 1963 March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom. It was here he delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. 8pp. fold-out program measures 6″ x 8.5″. Scattered light staining and subtle wear to edges, else near fine. A touching and scarce piece honoring the two most influential civil rights heroes of the 19th and 20th centuries. Sold for $4,915.
Malcolm X autograph letter twice-signed in April 1964 from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where Malcolm X visited after his departure from the Nation of Islam (NOI). He writes to Gloria Owens, ”Greetings from Arabia, where I have just completed my sacred Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca. el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (Malcolm X)”. Gloria Owens was the sister of Maceo X Owens, the secretary of MTI #7 (Muhammad’s Temples of Islam) in New York City, where Malcolm X was a minister alongside Louis Farrakhan. Maceo was likely the individual who told Malcolm X that he was instructed to plant a bomb inside Malcolm’s car (and didn’t do it); that individual has only been identified as the secretary of mosque #7. Postcard measures 5.75” x 4”. Very good plus condition. Sold for $4,875.
Malcolm X autograph letter signed from Kuwait in September 1964. Malcolm X writes to Gloria Owens, ”Greetings from beautiful Kuwait. Since I’ve seen what a mess can be made of things by narrow-minded people, I’m still traveling, trying to broaden my scope – Bro[ther] Malcolm X”. 1964 was a tumultuous year for Malcolm X; he left the Nation of Islam (NOI), defended himself against physical assaults and possible assassination attempts by the NOI, and traveled the world to the Middle East and Africa. Earlier in the year, while making the pilgrimage to Mecca, he was heartened by Muslims of all races treating each other as equals and was hopeful of improved race relations in the United States as a result. Postcard measures 5.75” x 4”. Very good plus condition with bold handwriting. Sold for $4,576.
Rosa Parks Signed 8” x 10” Photo — With JSA COA
Rosa Parks signed photo showing the civil rights icon sitting in a bus, the simple act that led to her arrest in 1955. Boldly signed in black felt-tip next to her image. Glossy photo measures 8” x 10”. Near fine condition. Sold for $4,000.
FREE APPRAISAL. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Booker T Washington signature that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com). Top dollar obtained for your Booker T Washington signature.
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