The historic auction of Colonel Harland Sanders’ personal collection generated just shy of $300,000 in sales, with more than 100 artifacts sold across 74 lots to collectors, historians, entrepreneurs, and fans around the world.
Held July 28 at the Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelbyville, Kentucky, the auction attracted more than 500 bidders, both in person and online. The collection, preserved by the Settle family since their 1974 purchase of Blackwood Hall and the Claudia Sanders Dinner House directly from Colonel and Claudia Sanders, offered rare personal artifacts spanning Sanders’ life, business career, and legacy.
The top-selling item was Colonel Harland Sanders’ Personal Handwritten Datebook and Working Planner, which sold for $30,000.
Far more than a simple appointment book, the planner served as Sanders’ personal working notebook in 1964, documenting observations, expenses, travel details, meals, business notes, and other aspects of his daily activities.
A handwritten page in the planner, listing eleven ingredients and their associated measurements, later attracted significant public attention, becoming the subject of widespread media coverage and legal review. Regardless of interpretation, the page contributed to the planner’s notoriety and historical significance within the broader story of Colonel Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Celebrity chef and television personality Alton Brown also participated in the auction, publicly sharing his experience through his Instagram Stories leading up to the event. After competing for several items, he had hoped to acquire, Brown successfully purchased Colonel Harland Sanders’ Personal Carving Knife Set with Named Presentation Case for $4,510, as well as a Collection of Original Kentucky Fried Chicken Printing Blocks for $2,100.
“The response exceeded our expectations,” said Bill Menish, lead auctioneer for the sale. “Collectors, historians, franchise operators, and Colonel Sanders enthusiasts recognized that this wasn’t simply a memorabilia auction, it was an opportunity to acquire artifacts that remained together through an extraordinary chain of ownership. The excitement among bidders, the strong online participation, and the national media attention surrounding the sale demonstrated just how enduring Colonel Sanders’ legacy continues to be.”
While the memorabilia auction has concluded, sealed bids are still being accepted for the purchase of the historic Claudia Sanders Restaurant, Blackwood Hall, and associated business assets. Bids will be accepted through midnight on July 31, 2026.
The offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire two properties directly tied to the Sanders legacy: the Claudia Sanders Restaurant, established by Colonel Harland Sanders and his wife, Claudia, and Blackwood Hall, the longtime Sanders family residence where franchise owners from around the world gathered to learn directly from the Colonel. The sale includes the operating restaurant business, furniture, fixtures and equipment, intellectual property, trademark rights, goodwill, and related assets.
Following the success of the July auction, the Menish Group is also preparing an additional online-only auction featuring Colonel Sanders-related historical artifacts. Collectors, former franchise operators, family members, historians, and members of the public who possess items connected to Colonel Harland Sanders, Claudia Sanders, or other historically significant related materials are encouraged to submit items for consideration.
To inquire about consigning artifacts for the upcoming auction, visit ClaudiaSandersAuction.com
