An Anti-War Speech of Martin Luther King Jr

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Americans like honoring their great men. This is also visible in specialized sales of historical memories. Their eighteenth century is dominated by George Washington, the nineteenth century by Abraham Lincoln ... and the twentieth century is highlighted by Martin Luther King Jr.

Alongside King, the popular singer Harry Belafonte is a renowned activist, working for human rights. Belafonte maintained a room for King in his New York home.

In February 1967, King spoke for the first time against the Vietnam War, bringing there all his weight of recent Nobel Peace Prize winner. This unexpected intervention on the international scene alienated the government of Johnson.

The handwritten outline of this first ever speech made by King against the Vietnam War, prepared by King at Belafonte's home, remained in possession of the latter. Wanting to support new causes, Belafonte is now selling it. It will be lot 120 of the sale of Sotheby's in New York on December 11. It is estimated 500 K $.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Three manuscripts of Martin Luther King Jr including the one that was the subject of this article have been withdrawn from sale after a property dispute issued by the King estate.