Lot 1756: REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING

REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING(1929-1968) Clergyman and civil rights leader who advocated nonviolent but active and massive confrontation in order to obtain rights for blacks. Good content T.L.S. "Martin L. King Jr." on his Southern Christian Leadership Conference letterhead, 1p. 4to., Atlanta, Jan. 6, 1965 to "Captain Smyth", commanding officer of the 17th Precinct of the NYPD. In full: "...Let me express my sincere appreciation for the time and effort you spent in providing both protection and traffic accompaniment for myself and the members of my party. While I hardly feel this necessary most of the time, it is both comforting and humbling to know that there are persons who are so concerned about my welfare...". Fine condition, with transmittal envelope. Ironic, of course, in that had King been afforded close personal protection in Memphis three years later, he might have