A rare piece of David Koresh history, this vintage business card is associated with Koresh during his years as a musician in California, well before his rise as the leader of the Branch Davidians.
The card features the “Meshiah Productions” logo and identifies David Koresh (then using his birth name, Vernon Howell) as “Guitar, Vocals,” with a Pomona, California address and contact information. The reverse features a series of biblical scripture references, reflecting the religious interests that would later become central to Koresh’s life and teachings.
An intriguing piece of pre Branch Davidian history, this card offers a glimpse into Koresh’s early life and career as a musician and provides a tangible connection to the period before the events that would ultimately make him one of the most notorious cult leaders of the 20th century.
COA included
David Koresh (1959–1993), born Vernon Wayne Howell, was the leader of the religious group known as the Branch Davidians, a sect that emerged from the Davidian Seventh Day Adventist movement and established its compound near Waco, Texas.
Koresh claimed to possess a unique understanding of biblical prophecy and taught his followers that he was the final prophet who would help prepare them for an approaching apocalyptic confrontation. Under his leadership, the Branch Davidians became increasingly isolated from the outside world, with Koresh exercising significant control over the group’s religious beliefs and daily lives.
On February 28, 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) attempted to execute a search and arrest warrant at the Branch Davidian compound. A gun battle followed, resulting in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians. The incident developed into a 51 day standoff between the group and federal authorities.
On April 19, 1993, the compound was engulfed by fire during the final assault. Koresh and more than 70 of his followers died, including several children. The Waco siege remains one of the most controversial and extensively examined episodes in modern American religious and law enforcement history.
