SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (AP) — KFC founder Colonel Sanders ' signature black bow tie, original cash register and dozens of other personal items sold Tuesday night in a public auction, while his former home and another restaurant he owned were up for auction later in the week.With his distinctive wardrobe and goatee, Harland Sanders built global brand recognition for the chain originally known as Kentucky Fried Chicken. He has remained the widely recognized face of the worldwide chain after his death in 1980.
Auctioneer Jonathan Klunk shows a black bow tie worn by KFC founder Harland Sanders, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Shelbyville, Ky. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)
“Colonel Sanders was the original celebrity chef,” said Bill Menish, whose firm, The Menish Group, is conducting the auction. “The feedback has been worldwide, so we needed to have an auction that would cater to that worldwide audience.”The largest sale of the night was $30,000 for Sanders’ personal 1964 planner with a handwritten list of herbs and spices that was the subject of an early 2000s lawsuit filed by the KFC Corp. to keep the contents private. KFC later dropped the legal action, saying after reviewing the planner the ingredients didn’t match Sanders’ secret blend of 11 herbs and spices and was likely for a stuffing recipe.
