Lot 216

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Description:

Mrs. M.L. King Typed Letter Signed with Fantastic Content


1p, 5.75" x 9.5", September 21, 1966. Signed "Coretta" in black ink at the conclusion. Typed on Mrs. King's personal stationery. A short letter from Coretta King, addressed to her husband's ex-secretary and her husband, Maude and Leonard Ballou. Ex-Maude Ballou.


The letter reads in full:

"Martin and I have been thinking of you quite a bit recently and I wanted to write to you. I wish that I had enough time to write you a long letter and bring you up to date on the King family but time for letter writing is rare and I must write only a brief note at this time. I hope that you will write to me when you get a chance. We would love to hear about you both. 

Martin and I, and even the children, have been keeping quite busy. Martin seems to travel more and more often and I too have been making several trips lately. Since I have resumed my Freedom Concerts I find that there is less and less time to do the 'home things' that I would like to do. 

We thought that you might like to have a copy of the record that resulted from the March on Washington. As you can see it contains the most significant speeches of that great day. 

Our warm thoughts and very best wishes are with you both.

P.S. I hope that the children are well and happy."

Maude Ballou became Martin Luther King Jr.'s first personal secretary following his election to President of the Montgomery Improvement Association in 1955. Ballou aided in many aspects of King's work, including doing research, booking flights, and even editing speeches. She had a hand in editing versions of his "I Had a Dream" speech, which he delivered throughout southern churches prior to the 1963 March on Washington. She worked by his side for five years before moving with her family to Petersburg, Virginia. 


Light soiling on verso. 


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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