KU KLUX KLAN "GREAT KLALIFF" GOLD & ENAMEL HAND ENGRAVED AWARD BADGE.
Bidding has ended for this item.
Thank you for visiting our past auction results. If you have an identical (or similar) to this auction item, please call or contact us to discuss. We look forward to speaking with you.
Winning Bid:
$2,110.50
(Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 1:00:00 AM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, November 9, 2011 1:00:00 AM)
Auction:
Auction #204 - Part I
Item numbers 1 through 1446 in auction 204
Item Description
1.75" tall of beautiful enamel and 10K (tested) gold. The bar pin is engraved "Great Klaliff." The shield below is engraved Latin and Greek combined phrase "Non Silba Sed Anthar" (Not For One's Self But For Others). In the hierarchy of the Klan, The Exalted Cyclops headed a Klavern (local group) and he Great Klaliff is his assistant and/or second in command. On the reverse of this piece the eagle and shield are hand engraved "9-18-24/David Leppert/In Appreciation/Of Service/Auburn/No.-29." This man was a Seattle, Washington area leader of the Klan as well as being mayor of the city of Kent plus, as this badge attests, he was second in command of the Auburn, Washington Klavern. At the time this badge was awarded in Sept., 1924 the Klan was engaged in a very active campaign centering on a proposed school law, similar to that passed by Oregon voters and backed by the Klan in 1922, requiring children between 8 and 18 to go to public schools with the intention of closing private and parochial schools, particularly Catholic schools (see previous item). Supporters in Washington successfully petitioned to have a nearly identical measure placed on the fall ballot in 1924. The Klan's involvement was apparent and opponents denounced the measure arguing that "Nothing Could Be More Detrimental To Goodwill Among The People Of The State Of Washington, More Likely To Stir Up Useless Strife And Hatred," then the initiative "Sponsored By The Ku Klux Klan." In the November election, Washington citizens rejected the measure by 60,000 votes. However citizens of the towns Kent and Auburn so closely associated with the man who received this badge David Leppert, voted for it 416 to 399 in Kent and 795 to 675 in Auburn. The only high ranking Klan member's badge we've seen and from a period when the Klan was extremely active across the U.S.A. Essentially Mint as issued. Unique.
Pictures (click images to zoom in)
Review your bid and press the Confirm Your Bid button below. Important: By confirming your bid, you are agreeing to purchase the item listed below if you are the winning bidder.
You haven't placed any bids.
