M.L. King Twice Signed Program for Youth - Incredible Provenance and Photo Evidence

22pp program, measuring 8.25" x 10.75", Oberlin, Ohio, dated June 14, 1965. The Oberlin College Commencement Exercises Program, celebrating the 132nd Anniversary. Signed twice in red ink by King, first on page 3 as "Martin Luther King", next to the program's listing of his Commencement Address. Signed again as "Martin Luther King Jr." on page 4, next to the program's listing of the conferring of his Honorary Degree. With additional signatures by President Robert Carr, Peter Mennin, R. H. Edwin, Leona Baumgartner, Frank Stanton, and twice by Dean Rusk. Boldly signed by all, with minor soiling and toning to the outer covers of the program.

Accompanied by a black and white photograph of King, dressed in commencement robes, shaking the hand of Louise Kulka, who worked in the public relations department at Oberlin College. Signed and inscribed at the top by Mark Long, "What a memorable day it was, meeting Dr. King!" Included with the piece is a letter of provenance by Long, who details how he watched King's commencement address and obtained the autographed program. He can be seen in the photographs wearing a dark plaid jacket. Long explains the difference in King's signature, writing in part:

"While I was waiting to speak with him, I glanced at my commencement program and realized there were two places where his name appeared. Perfectionist that I am, it was a short step further to begin focussing [sic] upon my heart's desire - two autographs. So when Dr. King had finished signing my program on page four, I asked if he could sign it again next to his name on page three. What an audacious request! Dr. King's response was exceedingly kind and patient. His whole approach with me sheds light on a technique that I think he must have used when trying to win people over and advance his agenda…Dr. King chose to stay there and engage with me - at the risk of missing his flight…"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made several visits to Oberlin during the Civil Rights Movement, his first being in February of 1957, just a couple months after he and the Montgomery Improvement Association successfully ended their 381-day bus boycott. He returned several more times, and in 1965, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, King was awarded an honorary degree of humane letters by Oberlin College. His commencement address, "Remaining Awake Through a Revolution", was one that the class of '65 would not soon forget. It would be his last formal address at Oberlin before his assassination in 1968.

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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