Letter signed by Martin Luther King (1964)

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A week before receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, pastor Martin Luther King thanks an activist supporting his fight.

Letter written and signed by Martin Luther King. One page. In English. 21 cm x 15 cm. Atlanta, United States, October 6, 1964. The back of the document was pasted onto a support by the previous owner, the front is in excellent condition. Single piece.

Dear Mr Esser,

I received the very kind letter you sent recently. Your words of encouragement are invaluable in continuing our humble efforts. Our struggle is often difficult and we experience times that are often frustrating, but we always gain new courage when we realize that people of good will, like you, are supporting us in the background. Though the days are now dark, I am convinced that we are at the dawn of a bright future for our nation.

Yours sincerely.

martin luther king

Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968) was an American Protestant pastor and political activist. Always preaching non-violence and love for others, including his enemies, he became the most important leader of the black civil rights movement in the United States. He is a respected figure around the world.

It all started when, in 1955, he led the Montgomery bus boycott. In 1957, he was elected first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). In 1963, he organized the March on Washington, where he delivered his most famous speech "I Have a Dream" in front of a crowd: a historic moment.

A week after writing that letter, Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against racial inequality through non-violence. He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. There is a public holiday in the United States in memory of his struggle, and hundreds of streets across the United States honor his name. At the end of his life, he included poverty and the Vietnam War in his struggles, but unfortunately, he was assassinated in 1968.

Mr. Esser was a high-ranking German military man and collector of documents from international leaders. Driven by profound human values ​​and an excellent writer, he made contact with important personalities through his fellow diplomats in the embassies.

Martin Luther King's letters are extremely rare and are usually owned by North American museums. In addition, the content of this letter, strong and moving, demonstrates all the humility and conviction of this exceptional leader, just a few days before receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.