Description
First edition of Why We Can’t Wait, inscribed by Martin Luther King, Jr. to his daughter’s grade school teacher.
Octavo, xii, 178pp. Black cloth spine, gray boards, title printed on spine. Later printed noted by “M-P” on copyright page. Publishers dust jacket, with $3.50 price and “0664” code on front flap, portrait of King on back cover, with “Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for 1964” on back cover. Light shelf wear to dust jacket, with crease on front flap, wear to top edge of spine and foxing at extremities of rear flap. Includes leather of provenance and holiday card from recipient of book. House in custom made clamshell case, black leather, gilt title on spine, raised bands, fine. Signed by Martin Luther King on front endpaper, with the following inscription: “To Mrs. Montague / In appreciate for all you have done to aid in giving our daughter a good education / Martin Luther King Jr.”
Comments: The book is inscribed by Martin Luther King to his daughter’s teacher, Mrs. Jane Montague of Marietta, Georgia. Mrs. Montague taught Yolanda King, who was Martin Luther King’s eldest child at Spring Street Elementary school, starting in 1965. King noted that “of this time [Yolanda] recalls some wonderful teachers who were welcoming and tried to make them comfortable.” The children’s first day of school was covered by local news and multiple photographers followed the events. This copy was passed down to Jane Montague’s son, Robert Montague, who includes a letter of provenance. An important association copy, with an attractive presentation.
