Historic Named KKK Grouping with Hero Cross

Description

The grouping includes the coveted Hero Cross (highest award in the Ku Klux Klan),
membership token from the Realm of Michigan dated 1919, token of the Convention of the
Order in Bristol, Tennessee dated May 11, 1907, KKK membership token dated 1927, and
a 40-page booklet written by the owner, Rev. Robert R. Long (Grand Kludd of the Realm of
Virginia). Klan member Rev. Robert R. Long was caught up in a scandal involving the FBI
which made national news in 1966. The booklet describes the incident, in Long’s own
words, how he was “framed” by the FBI and that he wishes to set the record straight. The
booklet also includes facsimiles of newspaper articles about the incident which vary greatly
from Long’s testimony. Charged with assaulting an FBI agent, Long was eventually
convicted and served a 30-day prison sentence. While he reviled the “dishonest” FBI
agents and the judicial process that tried and sentenced him, he praised his jailers for their
kind treatment during his incarceration. We will likely never know the truth, but knowing
what we do about the J. Edgar Hoover FBI of the time and recent revelations about the
bureau’s abuses of power might lead one to accept Long’s version rather than that of the
FBI agents involved. The Hero Cross depicts Nathan Bedford Forrest at its center, “SANS
PEUR ET SANS REPROCHE” (“Without Fear and Without Reproach”) at the top, and the
dates “1866″ and “1915″ on the bottom. Reverse with the words “HERO
CROSS/PRESENTED/BY THE/KNIGHTS/OF THE/KU KLUX CLAN”, and stamped “SS”
for sterling silver. Missing the pin bar and showing patina. Hero Cross 30 mm x 30 mm,
Realm of Michigan medal 33 mm diameter, KKK member token 39 mm diameter, and
Convention of the Order token 39 mm. The booklet is quite scarce, showing some staining
and handwritten notations. Long passed away in 1985 and this grouping was obtained
from his grandson. Included are several photos of Long in his casket at the funeral,
supporting the fact that it belonged to a family member.

Though generally reviled today due to its violent and racist past, the KKK was originally
intended to counter the abuses of occupying Union forces in the years immediately
following the Civil War. Founded on December 24th, 1866 by six Confederate veterans, it
quickly turned violent and it’s first Grand Dragon, Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, called for
its disbanding only 3 years later. This had little effect, and over the years the organization
only grew and became more violent, spreading well beyond its Southern roots into the
North and West. I recall stories by my grandmother of seeing Klan cross burnings in Ohio
in the 1920’s, which horrified her and left an indelible imprint in her memory. Like most
items with a macabre history, KKK memorabilia is increasing in value and demand.