Description:

A very impressive, unique Civil Rights-era relic of the Ku Klux Klan, an outdoor hanging sign, 30 x 35 in., constructed of sheet steel over wood, identifying a meeting house used by the Ku Klux Klan. The front bears the hand-painted insignia of the United Klans of America, consisting of their initials and title within a disc, surrounded by the motto "The Natural Link to the Ancient Klan", flanked by the founding dates of the first and second iterations of the Klan, "1866" and "1915". The additional hand-lettered title "Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" appears at top and bottom, and the annotation "Jim - Save These - Lee" has been added in black ink at top center, likely by an architectural salvor. The reverse of the sign bears a blacked-out disk at center, with the title "Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" at top and bottom and a crudely-executed Klan cross at top center. This side appears unfinished, and the sign was likely displayed with only the finished side visible. Both sides feature "ghost lettering" at the top reading "Bon Air", suggesting that the sign itself was recycled by the Klan, and possibly linking it to the Virginia town of that name. The top edge is fitted with one hanging hook, with the other missing, and a mounting hole has been drilled at top center. The sign shows expected soiling and wear overall, with some oxidation visible beneath the paint, else very good. The UKA rose to prominence during the early to mid-1960's, and was considered the largest and most violent Klan organization of the Civil Rights era, with members implicated in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham in 1963, as well as the murder of Civil Rights activist Viola Liuzzo in 1965. The UKA was driven into bankruptcy by a civil suit over the 1981 lynching of Michael Donald by UKA members. The construction and wear visible to this sign is entirely commensurate with use and display during the 1960's when the power of this Klan faction was at its height.

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November 21, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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