Martin Luther King Jr.’s Personalized Book For Nurse Who Saved His Life Up For Sale

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There’s a unique piece of Martin Luther King Jr.’s history now available for purchase. It’s a book that he inscribed to a nurse who played a crucial role in saving his life after an assassination attempt.

MLK’s Personalized Book

The book in question is a signed copy of “Stride Toward Freedom,” with a heartfelt note written by Martin Luther King Jr. to Gwen Brown, the nurse who cared for him at Harlem Hospital following his stabbing in 1958.

According to reports, the autographed book is being offered for sale by Moments In Time, with an asking price of $35,000.

The Story Behind the Book

The incident that led to the inscription took place during a book signing event at Blumstein’s Department Store in Harlem. It was there that Izola Ware Curry approached MLK and stabbed him in the chest with a steel letter opener.

The severity of the stab wound meant that any sudden movement, such as sneezing or coughing, could have been fatal. Thanks to the care provided by Gwen Brown, Martin Luther King Jr. was able to make a full recovery.

A Token of Appreciation

The note penned by MLK expresses his gratitude to Gwen, saying, “With best wishes and genuine appreciation for the attention you gave me as one of my nurses while I recuperated at Harlem Hospital.” The inscription is written in MLK’s distinctive cursive handwriting and features his iconic autograph.