Vintage ballpoint signature, “Best Wishes, Martin Luther King, Jr.,” on the reverse of a color 5.5 x 3.5 American Airlines postcard. A notation in the lower right, made by the flight engineer, reads, “Flt #910, 3-30-65, Detroit–New York. In fine condition, with light uniform toning. Accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance from the original recipient, who was the flight engineer on the flight, and a detailed letter of provenance from his daughter describing the historical context in which it was signed.
King was in Detroit on March 30th to attend the funeral of Viola Liuzzo, a white civil rights activist who had traveled south to participate in the Selma to Montgomery marches. When shuttling fellow activists back to the Montgomery airport after their success in reaching the Alabama State Capitol on March 25th, she was shot and killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Liuzzo’s funeral was held on March 30th at the Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Detroit, which was attended by dignitaries including King, Roy Wilkins, James Farmer, William G. Milliken, Jimmy Hoffa, and Walter Reuther. A remarkable historical piece considering its significant date. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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