Martin Luther King Jr Signed Church Donation Receipt w/ Unique Carbon Copy Duplicate Signature Example PSA

Title:
Martin Luther King Jr. Signed 1965 Church Donation Receipt — PSA/DNA Authenticated Auto w/ One Authentic Signature and One Carbon Copy Impression on the Lower Portion of Page.

Description:
Offered here is a remarkable and historically significant church donation receipt signed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in 1965. This “Second Quarter Report” from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Chicago is dated for the months of April, May, and June of that year and was issued to a parishioner, Mr. J. Krueger of Chicago, Illinois. The form is printed on the first page of a carbon copy set (Form K-108), and due to its placement, Dr. King’s signature — penned boldly in graphite with the salutation “Best Wishes” — has uniquely transferred onto the lower portion of the page via carbon pressure, creating a rare double-signature impression from the same hand. The primary signature appears crisply at the top right above the months listed for the second quarter.

The form measures approximately 5" x 7.5" and is preserved in a PSA/DNA slab labeled “AUTHENTIC AUTO” with certification number 85476200. The document displays expected handling wear consistent with age, including toning and fold lines, but remains clearly legible and visually striking within the protective holder.

Historical Context:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the defining voice of the American Civil Rights Movement, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and remembered for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance and powerful oratory. This receipt, signed in 1965 — the same year as the historic Selma to Montgomery marches and the passage of the Voting Rights Act — ties directly to King's deep roots in faith-based activism. While the form is issued by a Catholic parish, the signature may have been obtained during interfaith collaborations or civil rights outreach events in Chicago, a city where King would later organize major campaigns against systemic housing inequality.

The carbon transfer effect on this document is especially fascinating, as it resulted in an incidental but authentic second impression of King’s signature on the same sheet — a virtually unheard-of occurrence, offering collectors a unique artifact of both historical and material rarity.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
This item has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA, one of the leading third-party authentication services in the industry.

• Certification Number: 85476200

• Encapsulation Label: “RECEIPT / MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. / PSA/DNA CERTIFIED / AUTHENTIC AUTO”

• Slabbed Dimensions: Standard PSA holder, tamper-evident and labeled on both front and back.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
A stunning and unique historical document from the hand of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this signed 1965 church donation receipt bridges the worlds of faith, activism, and legacy. The rare occurrence of a carbon-transferred duplicate signature on the same sheet adds extraordinary appeal, making this a one-of-a-kind piece worthy of the finest civil rights or Americana collections.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.