The legendary founder of KFC, Colonel Harland Sanders, is seeing his personal belongings and properties go on the auction block. Items such as his pressure cooker, iconic black bow tie, and several other personal effects are included at the event, alongside his former residence and a restaurant he started post-KFC.
Historical Significance
Colonel Sanders, a familiar symbol globally, initially set up the Shelbyville facility as a base for his restaurant empire in the 1950s. Later, in 1974, he sold it, including his home and the Claudia Sanders Dinner House, to Tommy and Cherry Settle. They’ve operated the restaurant ever since.
Auction Details
Auctioneer Jonathan Klunk displayed one of Sanders’ notable black bow ties during an event in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Bill Menish from The Menish Group, leading the auction, remarked on the unique appeal of Sanders as an early celebrity chef. The auction aims to attract a worldwide audience, given the broad feedback received.
In-person and online pre-bidding for Sanders’ memorabilia culminates on Tuesday night. Additionally, sealed bids will be accepted for Sanders’ former home, Blackwood Hall, and the restaurant until Friday.
Items for Bid
Among the auction items are Sanders’ personal watches, an original cash register, his set of cutlery, and a sculpted bust by his daughter. Other significant memorabilia includes a commercial gas range from Sanders’ residence. By Tuesday morning, bids had reached $4,400 for the bust and $5,000 for the cash register.
Colonel Sanders sold KFC in 1964 to investors but continued as its brand ambassador. His carefully curated public persona, characterized by his attire, defined the brand image of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Rare Finds
A standout item is a personal planner from 1964 featuring a handwritten recipe. This planner became central to legal deliberations in the early 2000s when KFC Corp. sought to maintain its secrecy. However, the company dropped the case after analyzing the planner’s contents, concluding they did not align with Sanders’ renowned 11 herbs and spices and were likely a stuffing recipe.
Another prominent auction item is a certificate from 1955, designating Sanders as an honorary Kentucky Colonel, which has attracted a bid of $7,500.
For collectors, one of Sanders’ signature black bow ties is available, with its highest bid online reaching over $4,000. Jonathan Klunk revealed an interesting detail about the tie—Sanders often wore clip-on versions.