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Martin Luther King TLS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD
Martin Luther King TLS
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
Excellent typed letter signed by Martin Luther King, Jr. on 15 August 1962, just after his release from prison in Albany, Georgia. Written upon Southern Christian Leadership Conference letterhead, King writes to Ms. Dorothy Riggle. In full, ''This is just a note to acknowledge receipt of your very kind letter and encouraging words during my recent period of incarceration in Albany, Georgia. Such moral support and expressions of concern are of inestimable value for the continuance of my humble efforts. The Albany situation is a difficult one, but we are consoled by the fact that some little progress is being made, and I am convinced that the barriers of segregation will be removed in that Southwest Georgia community in the not too distant future. I do hope that our efforts in Albany and other communities across the South will speed up the day when the American dream will become a reality and all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Very truly yours, Martin Luther King, Jr.'' King had been released from prison in Albany in July 1962 after the Police Chief discreetly paid his fine, not wanting negative publicity from the arrest of peaceful protesters. King wrote of the incident, ''We had witnessed persons being kicked off lunch counter stools…ejected from churches…and thrown into jail…But for the first time, we witnessed being kicked out of jail.'' 8.5'' x 11'' letter is near fine condition with usual mailing folds. Original transmittal envelope included, postmarked 21 August 1962 from Atlanta, Georgia. Upon the envelope's verso is written ''Clipping sent - 8/28/62 / Thoreau, Gandhi, King.''