#14 • Kentucky Colonel Commission Certificate Awarded to Harland Sanders (1955)
Part of The Colonel Sanders Artifact Collection (live auction by The Menish Group Auction & Real Estate)
High bid $23,000.00
Status: Sold
Description Offered here is the official Kentucky Colonel Commission Certificate awarded to Harland Sanders on December 6, 1955, and signed by Kentucky Governor Lawrence W. Wetherby. Beautifully preserved and professionally framed, the certificate formally commissions Sanders as a Kentucky Colonel and represents one of the defining honors associated with the public identity he would later transform into a globally recognized brand. Few documents are more closely connected to the image and persona that ultimately made Sanders one of the most recognizable entrepreneurs of the twentieth century. While millions around the world came to know him simply as "The Colonel," this certificate documents the official honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky during the period when Kentucky Fried Chicken was expanding beyond its regional roots. The certificate remains in exceptional condition and serves as both an important historical document and a striking display piece associated with one of America's most influential business figures. Historical Significance The title of Kentucky Colonel became inseparable from Harland Sanders' public identity. Although Sanders had previously received an earlier Kentucky Colonel commission, the 1955 recommission occurred during the period in which he increasingly embraced the title and image that would become known worldwide. The white suit, black string tie, and "Colonel Sanders" persona would soon become one of the most successful and recognizable personal brands in business history. As a result, the 1955 commission occupies a particularly important place within the Sanders story, representing the formal recognition that helped reinforce the identity under which he built Kentucky Fried Chicken into a global enterprise. Provenance From the Claudia Sanders Dinner House Collection. The certificate remained in the possession of Colonel Sanders and those closest to him and has been preserved for decades as part of the historical collection associated with Blackwood Hall and the Claudia Sanders estate. Condition Reportedly preserved in excellent condition. Displays exceptionally well and retains strong visual appeal as both a historical document and display artifact. Prospective bidders are encouraged to review all photographs and conduct their own inspection regarding condition, preservation, framing, staining, fading, restoration, and overall completeness.
