Gregory Reed Collection of African American History & Music

The Auction

Featuring a remarkable collection of rare documents, manuscripts, and other treasured items tracing African-American history, the Civil Rights movement, and African American music. Gregory Reed is a Detroit-based lawyer who represented Rosa Parks for many years, consequently ending up in possession of a number of documents relating to the civil rights movement. Additionally, Mr. Reed represented various Motown groups, including the Temptations, and ended up with documents such as signed contracts and original, handwritten scores from various musicians and groups.

Featured Lots


Letter from American
Anti-Slavery Society, 1836


Rosa Parks' handwritten notes
on 1st meeting with Martin Luther King Jr.


Peter Thornton's Last Will
c.1833 with Slaves Reference



1956 Letter to the Montgomery
Improvement Association


Rosa Parks' handwritten notes on Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Rev. Abernathy, Andrew Young, Fred Shuttlesworth


Rosa Parks' notes
on the Graetz Bombing



Rosa Parks' original book
Manuscript with notes and ephemera


Original score sheet
for the Supremes' "Overture II"


Original score sheet
for the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion"