1915 Ku Klux Klan 50th Anniversary "Hero Cross" Medal & "Grand Wizard" Tag - Framed Historical Artifact
1915 Ku Klux Klan 50th Anniversary "Hero Cross" Medal & "Grand Wizard" Tag - Framed Historical Artifact
This is a unique and historically significant framed collection featuring a Ku Klux Klan "Hero Cross" medal from 1915 and a fascinating, hand-stamped brass identification tag. The items are presented in an ornate, antique gilded frame, creating a comprehensive display piece from a controversial period of American history.
This collection is sold as a historical artifact for academic and research purposes only. The display of these items does not represent an endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan or its ideologies.
Detailed Analysis of the Collection:
1. The 50th Anniversary "Hero Cross" Medal (c. 1915)
- Occasion: This medal was created to mark the 50th anniversary (1866-1915) of the Ku Klux Klan's founding. The year 1915 is pivotal as it marks the beginning of the "Second Klan," a period of revival and massive growth for the organization, partly fueled by the release of the film "The Birth of a Nation."
- Imagery: The octagonal silvered metal medal features a central bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate Lieutenant General and the first Grand Wizard of the Klan.
- Inscriptions: The medal bears the French motto "Sans Peur Et Sans Reproche" ("Without Fear and Without Reproach"), a phrase often associated with Forrest. The anniversary dates "1866" and "1915" are prominently displayed.
- Ribbon: It is suspended from its original red, white, and blue ribbon, indicating its American origin despite the French motto.
2. Hand-Stamped Brass Member & "Grand Wizard" Tag
This brass tag is perhaps the most compelling component of the collection, offering a layer of personal identity.
- Obverse (Front): The tag is crudely hand-stamped, suggesting it was created for an individual member. It is marked with the number "40," the words "MEMBER," "K K K," and the name "MEB JONES." Two five-pointed stars are also stamped on this side.
- Reverse (Back): The back of the tag features the hand-scratched words "GRAND WIZARD." This is an extraordinary claim, as it is the highest rank within the Ku Klux Klan. While the historical veracity of this individual's rank cannot be verified, the tag itself is a remarkable artifact reflecting the personal identity and claimed status of a member.
3. Presentation and Framing
- Frame: The items are housed in a deeply ornate, gilded (gold-colored) antique frame with intricate floral and scrollwork details. The frame itself is a period piece and shows authentic age, including a visible crack in one corner.
- Mounting: The medal is set against a burgundy velvet background and protected under an oval convex (or "bubble") glass. Below the medal is a handwritten label that reads, "Hero Cross / Ku Klux Klan / 1866-1915." The brass tag is mounted beside it.
- Collector's Notes: The back of the frame includes typed notes, likely added by a previous collector. These notes provide a brief biography of Nathan Bedford Forrest and details about the "Hero Cross," confirming its purpose as a presentation piece from the "KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN (Inc)."
Condition:
The items are in very good condition for their age. The medal retains its detail, and the ribbon's colors are still distinct. The brass tag shows clear, legible stamping and scratching. The frame is structurally sound but has the aforementioned signs of age that contribute to its antique character.
Dimensions:
- Frame Width: 6 "
- Frame Height: 7"
- Frame Depth: 1