24 plaques, tokens and medals of the "Ku Klux Klan", bearing the movement's slogans and emblems. United States, 1868-1966 (most items are from the 20th century).
In the collection: • A medal with a hole for suspension, with the slogan "Virtuous anger is our right". Alabama, 1868. • Two plaques with emblems and slogans of the "Ku Klux Klan". 1895, 1922. • Two "Dollar" tokens of "Ku Klux Klan", 1922. • Two train ride tokens, "Indian Railroad, Division of Wesson, Co.", stamped "KKK". • Medals and tokens bearing the slogan "non silba, sed anthar" [not for ourselves, for the other], burning crosses, and other slogans and symbols used by the organization in its different phases.
The "Ku Klux Klan" movement was founded in 1865 in the state of Tennesey by soldiers released from the defeated confederation army, and although it started as a social club with no definitive goals, it soon enough turned into a racist movement which acted violently against African-American released soldiers, until it was oppressed by the government in the 1870s. The movement re-started its operations in 1915 – this time aiming its actions against Jews as well; after a slow-down in the 1940s, the movement went back into action in the 1960s.
Enclosed: Two tokens with the inscription "KKK- member in good standing"; not proved to be KKK tokens.
Size andcondition vary. Good overall condition.
Provenance: Morton Leventhal Collection, New York.