Lot 1067
ALTOONA KU KLUX KLAN DOCUMENTS AND EPHEMERA
Extensive archive of documents, correspondence, and articles of ephemera, all from the archives of John F. Marshall, "Kligrapp" (secretary) of the Altoona, Pennsylvania chapter of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. The group includes, in small part: Typed D.S., 1p. 4to., [Altoona, Feb. 9, 1923], the text of an oath in which the oath-taker promises never to reveal the identities of any of his fellow Klansmen. The oath is signed by twelve officers of the Altoona Klan, including Marshall and "Exalted Cyclops" William C. Tipton; typed document, 1p. 8vo., [Altoona, n.d.], a list of the names and titles executive officers of the Altoona Klan, their substitutes, and the members of the "Klokann" (board of investigators). Appended to this are two additional slightly smaller typed pages, relating the same information but also giving each individual''s address; John F. Marshall''s Ku Klux Klan, membershp card, 3 1/2" x 2", giving his "Klavern" membership number "59" and an expiration date of "12-31-24"; printed booklet entitled "By-Laws of the Altoona Klan", 15pp. 12mo., setting forth the specific rules and regulations as adopted by the officers of the Altoona chapter, and bearing the blind-embossed seal of the chapter on the penultimate page; four copies of a printed document, the "Quarterly Bulletin of Altoona Klan Number One, Realm Two of Pennsylvania", each 1p. 4to., Altoona, March 31, 1923, with the interesting report: "...The Grand Jury returning a verdict of no true bill against any of the accused for crime committed in the state of Louisiana, assures a clean, clear conscience of knowing that we are not associating with a band of outlaws and hooded murderers, but an organization of Protestant, fearless, law-abiding, red-blooded American citizens, who are banding together for the betterment of all mankind..." This refers to a case in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, after two white men were kidnapped and murdered by a mob of Klansmen under the leadership of the former mayor. The case was not pursued after additional witnesses vanished; an additional printed document, also entitled " Quarterly Bulletin of Altoona Klan Number One, Realm Two of Pennsylvania", 1p. 8vo., Altoona, [Jan. 1923], giving updates of recruitment drives, Klan-published newspapers to combat negative publicity, and the issuance of a new national password; an additional printed newsletter, 4pp. 8vo., Sep. 30, 1923, with the Klan chapter stated on the front cover above the image of an American flag; carbon copy of a typed document, 1p. 4to., [n.p., n.d.], a press release or similar announcement on a Klan Easter celebration, in part: "... By the burning of the Fiery Cross, the symbol of that Calvary Cross, on the hilltops overlooking the city of Altoona, at 10 o''clock, Saturday evening, the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan paid tribute to the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth... The Crosses being forty-eight feet in height and wrapped with a imflammable material, when aflame were visible to all sections of the City thus attracted the attention of thousands of the Citizens who rushed to the different sections of the city where the Klansmen had erected their symbols of Sacred Flame to their Criterion of Character, but the Ceremonies having been completed and the hundreds of Klansmen having retired to their respestive homes, the investigating citizens found nothing but the smoldering embers of that Sacred emblem. [all sic]"; typed document, a "Weekly Klan News letter", 1p. 4to., [Altoona], Sep. 5, 1923, giving a eulogy for a murdered Klansman, in small part: "...Salute Klansman Thomas R. Abbot... a fellow just like you or me, who because he dared to march with the Cross and Flag, was martyred at the behest of enemies more deadly than ever was a German Kaiser or a Catholic King of Spain... Klansman Abbot, who was shot to death by an anti-Klan fanatic in Carnegie, Penna., was as true a martyr to the cause, hopes and beliefs of Protestant Christianity as ever was a Cranmer, a Ridley or a Latimer or the host of ''heretics'' who kept alive the flames of Smithfield..."; two copies of a 12mo. card given "Compliments of the Ku Klux Klan, Altoona, Pa.", entitled "A Knocker", in part: "... After God had finished making the Rattlesnake, the toads and the Vampires, He had some awful substance left, of which He made THE KNOCKER. The Knocker is a two-legged animal with a cork screw soul, a water-soaked brain and a combination backbone of Jelly and Glue. Where other men have hearts he carries a tumor of DECAYED PRINCIPLES... What are you? A KNOCKER or a 100% American..."; printed document, 1p. 4to., announcing an "Open Air Meeting and Naturalization with Parade", to be held at Scottsdale, Pennsylvania on Sep. 1, 1923, in part: "... Kindly notify each member of your organization regarding this celebration, and see that they attend 100%... Each member is urged to come prepared with Robes. If you do not have a Robe come any-way as we want a 100% attendance... Come prepared and remember this is the town that the Knights of Columbus held up Klansman and stole their Robes returning from Uniontown... Let''s make this the largest demonstration in Pennsylvania..."; group of 155 ballots allowing Altoona Klan members to vote of an increase to the Klan''s "Widow''s or Dependent''s Fund", each bearing the name, address, occupation, vote and remarks of a Klansman, and with their membership number stamped at upper left. A number of additional blank ballots are also present; and a large quantity of unsorted documents and correspondence, including financial documents, membership petitions, receipts for dues paid, notifications of visits by Klansmen from other cities, and much more. Most documents show toning and chips to the edges commensurate with age, else very good. Should be seen.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $20 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 + | $10,000 |