#55 • Colonel Harland Sanders Personal Handwritten Datebook and Working Planner

Part of The Colonel Sanders Artifact Collection (live auction by The Menish Group Auction & Real Estate)

High bid $30,000.00

Status: Sold

Offered here is an extraordinary personal datebook and working planner belonging to Colonel Harland Sanders. Preserved in its original binding, this volume contains extensive handwritten entries made by Sanders himself and provides a rare window into the daily life of one of the most recognizable entrepreneurs of the twentieth century. Far more than a simple appointment book, the planner served as a personal working notebook in which Sanders recorded observations, expenses, travel details, meals, business notes, and other aspects of his day-to-day activities. Throughout its pages, the Colonel's own handwriting documents routines, habits, and decisions that collectively helped shape the growth of the Kentucky Fried Chicken brand and the public figure behind it. Unlike promotional materials, corporate records, or signed memorabilia, this is a deeply personal artifact created for Sanders' own use and never intended for public display. The planner remains one of the most intimate and revealing artifacts associated with Colonel Sanders known to exist.   Historical Significance Artifacts that provide direct insight into the private life of a major historical figure are exceptionally rare. While countless items associated with Colonel Sanders reflect his public image, restaurants, franchising efforts, and worldwide fame, few objects offer such a personal perspective on the man himself. Through his handwritten entries, Sanders documented the ordinary details of everyday life: places visited, meals enjoyed, expenses incurred, gratuities left, and observations made along the way. Collectively, these entries create a remarkable firsthand record of the routines and habits of a businessman who transformed a roadside restaurant concept into one of the world's most recognized brands. Of particular interest is a handwritten page containing a list of eleven ingredients and associated measurements that later attracted significant public attention and became the subject of widespread media coverage and legal review. Regardless of interpretation, the page contributed substantially to the planner's notoriety and further cemented its place within the broader story of Colonel Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken.   Story & Context Collectors often seek the closest possible connection to a historical figure. This planner represents exactly that. Rather than a commemorative item created for public consumption, it is a working object that accompanied Sanders through daily life. The entries contained within its pages were written not for publicity, but for personal reference. The result is an unusually authentic portrait of the Colonel beyond the white suit and public persona. Small details preserved throughout the volume reveal the routines, habits, travels, and observations of the man behind the global icon. For historians, entrepreneurs, collectors, and admirers of Sanders' legacy, few surviving artifacts provide a more direct connection to his personal world.   Provenance This planner originates from the Claudia Sanders Dinner House Collection and has remained associated with the property and ownership for decades. Its history and chain of custody are further documented through extensive media coverage and public discussion concerning certain handwritten contents within the volume.   Condition Reportedly preserved in excellent condition. Prospective bidders are encouraged to review all photographs and conduct their own inspection regarding condition, aging, wear, repairs, staining, completeness, and other factors that may affect value.