Lot 213

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Description:

M.L. King Stabbing Referenced in Letter on His Stationery


1p, 7.25" x 10.25", June 23, 1960. Typed letter on Martin Luther King Jr.'s personal stationery and signed by his secretary, "Maude L. Ballou." Addressed to Benjamin Davis, the letter references the 1958 incident when King was stabbed. It reads in full:


"I would like to make a request of you. Would you mind looking up a copy of The Worker that came out sometime around the Fall of 1958 when Rev. Martin L. King, Jr. was stabbed? There was an article in this particular issue with a picture of Mrs. King speaking at the Pilgrimage in Washington, D.C. during the month of October, 1958. I would like two copies of this particular issue if it is at all possible. Many thanks for your kindness and attention to my request.


P.S. I am interested in clipping the article that was written on the Pilgrimage.At the conclusion of the letter is written, "only one copy available" in blue ink in an unknown hand. Also marked at the top left corner, "Nov 2, 58."


On September 20, 1958, during a book singing for his book Stride Toward Freedom, King was stabbed in the chest with a steel letter opener by Izola Curry. Curry suffered from delusions and schizophrenia,  and after being indicted for attempted murder she was committed to the Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. King required surgery to remove the blade, which had come within a hairsbreadth of his aorta. Despite this close brush with death, King felt no ill-will towards Curry, and in a statement made from the hospital, he emphasized his wish for his attacker to receive the help she needed.


Light toning and foxing at the lower margin. Flattened mail folds. 


This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.


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August 19, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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