African Americana is an ever-growing collecting niche. This will no doubt be demonstrated at a special African Americana auction taking place in New York, tomorrow (March 1).

Among the sale's highlights is a copy of Stride Toward Freedom by the US Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

This particular copy was presented to Asa Philip Randolph, a fellow African American civil-rights movement leader, and contains extensive notes by Randolph.

An inscription by King Jr inside reads: "To my dear friend A. Philip Randolph. In appreciation of the standards of loyalty, honesty, non-violence and the will to endure that you have held before all people in the struggle for freedom, justice and democracy, Martin."

A good dust jacket is key to any book's value. This original 1958 copy of Stride Toward Freedom's jacket is described as "moderately worn" by the auctioneer.

Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King Jr

The First Edition rare book will be sold in a specially made black morocco backed clamshell box and is estimated at $8,000-12,000.

Given his immense importance in US Civil Rights history, it's no surprise that Martin Luther King Jr's autograph and other related collectibles are especially coveted.

Examples that we have for sale at Paul Fraser Collectibles include this early, rare programme dated to June 1957. It bears Martin Luther King Jr's own signature and is for sale priced at £4,500.

The rare programme is from the 40th anniversary of the Utility Club. It was at this event that the Club named Martin Luther King Jr as their man of the year.  

Needless to say, King Jr remains a 'man of the century' for collectors of African Americana.