1926 Ku Klux Klan Historical Collection — Keeler Family Photo Album & Uniform Artifact RARE his and hers.

Description:

DISCLAIMER: This is a collection of historical artifacts sold for academic and historical purposes only. The Ku Klux Klan is a designated hate group responsible for a legacy of violence and racism. The sale of this item does not represent any sympathy or endorsement of the KKK's ideology. These items are presented as historical evidence of a complex and painful period in American history.

Historical Context: The Klan in the 1920s

This collection dates to 1926, the zenith of the "Second Wave" of the Ku Klux Klan. Far from a fringe group, the KKK of the 1920s was a powerful, mainstream organization with a paid membership numbering in the millions across the United States, including significant activity in Northern states like New Jersey.

This era of the Klan rebranded itself as a fraternal "civic" organization dedicated to preserving "100% Americanism." It openly recruited families, establishing women's auxiliaries and even junior orders. This strategy of normalization is what makes this collection so historically significant and chilling. The KKK positioned itself as a defender of community morals and white Protestant values, and its members were often prominent local citizens—neighbors, business owners, and churchgoers.

These artifacts are not relics of the Reconstruction-era South but evidence of a nationwide movement that embedded itself into the fabric of everyday American life. They serve as a stark reminder of how ideologies of hate can become intertwined with family, community, and identity.

Analysis of the Collection

This is a comprehensive and well-preserved grouping of artifacts reported to have belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Keeler, documenting their membership in the Ku Klux Klan. The collection provides a rare, multi-faceted look at their affiliation.

The contents include:

1. The 1926 Photo Album:

• Format: Original black paper album pages with photos affixed.
• Dating: Clearly dated in handwritten script, "1926."
• Content: The pages contain multiple candid, outdoor snapshots of Mr. and Mrs. Keeler.

2. Framed Portrait of Mr. Keeler:

• Format: A formal, standing portrait of the male member.
• Content: Mr. Keeler is depicted alone in his complete uniform. The photo is professionally presented in what appears to be a period-appropriate vintage frame. This type of portrait suggests a sense of pride and a desire to formally document his status within the organization.

3. Uniform Regalia & Insignia:

• The collection is said to include two complete uniforms with separate, serially numbered bags, indicating the individual and registered nature of the items.
• The robes seen in the photographs feature the "Mystic Insignia of a Klansman" (MIOAK) on the chest—a circular patch with a cross in the center. This was a common symbol for members during the 1920s. The existence of separate, complete sets of regalia for a husband and wife highlights the KKK's focus on family-based membership during this period.

This collection is a significant and deeply unsettling historical document. The combination of formal portraits, personal photo albums, and specific regalia provides a uniquely complete picture of how the Ku Klux Klan was integrated into a single family's identity.