DE KIM

LITTERAIR PAMFLET

K/S

Amsterdam, 21st March 1950

Langston Hughes
684 St, Nicholas Avenue
New York 30
U.S.A.

Dear Sir,

Referring to Miss Rosey Pool I should like to enter into relations with you. I am publishing a new literary review and one of the first issues of this review "DE KIM", will be about negro poetry. It will be written in english.

To you, being well known in this domain, I should like to ask if you are willing to take over the host-editorship for this special issue. If you accept as soon as possibly I shall send you an issue of De Kim in order you can see how much pages it contains and I too should then like to know what are your conditions for contribution.

If you are not able to accept I still should be very grateful if you would be willing to write either a foreword or another contribution for this special number.

Next to many others I should like to ask a contribution of Peter Blackman; what is your opinion about him? I should like to know.

Before closing perhaps you are interested to know that already several authors of name send their contributions to De Kim, pe. Thornton Wilder, Arnold Zweig, Henry Miller, Heinrich Mann, Georges Duhamel e.o.,

Hoping I have not troubled you too much and

REDACTIONELE LEIDING: LUDWIG KUNZ • KEIZERSGRACHT 135 • AMSTERDAM

C. HAFKAMP • PUBLISHER • AMSTERDAM • NEDERLAND

DE KIM

LITTERAIR PAMFLET

Amsterdam, April 25, 1950

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
NEW YORK 35 N.Y.

Dear Sir,

I thank you very much for your reply and I regret
you have not time for "De Kim". However I should
like to ask you something: do you know perhaps,
besides Peter Blackman, a young writer on journa-
list capable to take hold of the guest-editorship
of our special negro-issue of "De Kim"?

It is not necessary the author is wellknown;
further it is perhaps useful to know that this
issue contains only 15-18 pages in big seize
and so it will be not so difficult to compose.

If you could advise us I should be very grateful.

Than, before closing, the last question I trouble
you with. Should you be willing to answer the en-
closed inquiry? We already received answers of
Thornton Wilder, Henry Miller, Thomas Mann, Georges
Duhamel, Jack Lindsay and many others and I should
appreciate it very much if you too would send us
your answer. Only a few lines will be sufficient.

Thanking you in advance for helping us, we soon
hope to receive your answer,

Encl.

Mr. Ludwig Kunz
DE KIM
Litterair Pamflet
Keizersgracht 135
Amsterdam, Nederland

Dear Mr. Kunz:

It was kind of you to think of me as a possible guest editor of your special Negro issue of DE KIM and I assure you that I feel quite honored. However, since I have just completed editing a special Negro Poets Issue of *VOICES: A Quarterly of Poetry* here in America, I know that such an editorship would require several weeks if the job is to be done properly.

I have just recently signed a new book contract, an opera contract and I already have on hand several writing commitments to complete by the end of this year. The heaviest portion of my lecture season comes at this time and I still have a number of cross-country appearances to fulfill. When you add to all this a number of appearances in connection with my new book of Harlem humor, SIMPLE SPEAKS HIS MIND, and the revisions on my new opera, THE BARRIER which is scheduled to open in summer theatres in New England where it will play until it opens on Broadway in early fall, then you can readily see how difficult it would be for me to take on any other literary chores other than those I have already outlined. I am sincerely sorry that I cannot comply with your request. But I am sure that you will do an excellent job on your special Negro number of DE KIM.

You ask my opinion of Peter Blackman. Unfortunately I am not too familiar with his work. However, I understand that he has a good deal of merit, but as I have already said, I am hardly in a position to advise you regarding his work.

Once again, thank you for thinking of me in connection with your project. Here's hoping that it will meet with all success.

LH/nw

November
First
1
9
5
5

Dear Marius Flothuis:

Your beautifully wrapped package arrived safely and it was a great surprise and pleasure upon opening it to find copies of your music as settings for my poetry, and to find so carefully arranged reviews with the very thoughtful English translation that you supplied me. I cannot tell you how much I thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness in sending me this material.

One of our leading singers who is with the New York City Center Opera, Adele Addison, has promised to go over this music with me, but since she has been away on a concert tour, she has not yet had a chance to do so. It may be that we can get someone to perform them here in New York. Some years ago I heard a performance in New York at Town Hall of one of the Piano Concertos of Mme. Joh. Bordewikj-Roepman who, as you perhaps know, also set some of my poems to music in Holland.

It might interest you to know that my Broadway opera, STREET SCENE, for which I did the lyrics to music by Kurt Weill, book by Elmer Rice, is opening at the Dusseldorf Opera on Saturday, November 26th, and Lotte Layna (Mrs. Kurt Weill formerly) is flying over from New York for it. I have been invited, too, but unfortunately due to pressure of other work, can't go. But if you are near enough, I'd appreciate immensely your going, and letting me know how it comes off. At the moment I'm busy on a big PHOTO HISTORY OF THE NEGRO due to be finished soon, so have to stay home and work.

Again with my very great thanks for your kindness and my best wishes for your success, I remain as ever,

Mr. Marius Flothuis
Erasmus, Spui a 2
Amsterdam, Holland

LH/g

April 20, 1963

Dear Mr. Pasch:

Mr. Hughes is out of the city and is not scheduled to return for some time. I am therefore sending you the photograph you requested and a copy of Mr. Hughes' biographical data sheet. As for information relative to the Negro Poets of America, I suggest that you address:

Mrs. Jean Blackwell Hutson
Schomburg Collection
103 West 135th Street
New York City 30, N. Y.
U. S. A.

The Schomburg Collection is the largest collection of materials by and about Negroes and has assisted many persons in studies of Negro writers. You might also be interested in knowing of the publication of LES POETES NEGRES DES ÉTATS-UNIS by Jean Wagner. Mr. Wagner made a very thorough study of Negro Poets from Dunbar to Hughes so you might want to write him. His address is 83, rue du General Conrad, Strasbourg, FRANCE.

Best wishes to you in your work.

The rector

Sognepræsten

Sdr. Næraa pr. Aarslev

Denmark.

2.-7.-1964

To the writer and poet

Dear mr. Langston Hughes!

You have often delighted me with your own poems. I am rector in the
danish church. But as a member of the board of the Sudan United Mis-
sion-Danish Branch (North Nigeria) I have in several years been very
interested in the new african writing. I have just translated into da-
nish Leopold Senghors: Chants d'Ombre.

A few month ago I procured your beautiful anthology: Poems from Black Africa, and I must thank you very much for such a broad and draught collection.

Now I have a request: May I bring some of the most suitable poems from this volume in my translation in a yearbook: Under Afrikas Sol, of which I am editor? I think especially of G.Okara, Roland Dempster, Richard Rive and Francesca Pereira (Two Strange Worlds). The yearbook is issued in 7000 copies, each to 4 kroner, and we have no extra income for bringing african poems. But to me it is the best way in which to understand our african fellow-beings.

Hoping for a favourable answer sincerely yours

H.F.Rasmussen

H. F. Rasmussen,

Sdr. Næraa pr. Aarslev,

Denmark.

Dr H. R. ROOKMAAKER
Plantsoen 85
LEIDEN - Tel. 33918

March 27, 1961

Mr. Langston Hughes,
c/o Harold Ober Associates
40 East 49 Street
New York 17, N.Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes,

To introduce myself the following: I am a Dutch art historian, assistent professor at Leyden University. But what might interest you more: I have been studying American Negro Music for more than 20 years, have collected much folk music and especially spirituals beside blues and jazz, and have given many lectures here on this subject, also for the Dutch Broadcast. Last year I published a book on Jazz, Blues and Spirituals, in which I tried to give a complete survey of all the different types of music on these fields. New was, as far as I can see, my survey of spirituals, trying to link it up with other kinds of Negro music and trying to relate the different types to different cultural backgrounds. Also have I edited a series of reissues of older recordings, as well of jazz as of blues and spirituals. Spirituals are my interest, and in the future I hope to be able to write a book on the subject. I have a large collection of records and have read almost all books on them, but cannot get farther here.

So I'm very glad that I have obtained a grant to come to the States for three month and a half, and hope to arrive in New York the very beginning of September. Now I want to ask you whether I can have the honour to meet you, and if you are willing and able to

help me in introducing me to those people that can be of value to
me in my investigations -- I do not mean only scholars, but
most particularly church people, singers, etc.. I hope to be
able to hear some of the music in the flesh which I have heard
so many times on records ( as e.g. the excellent recordings of
yours gospelsongs published by Folkways).

I even plan to make some recordings myself, of little groups like
the Spirit of Memphis Quartet and such, but only real authentic
singing affiliated with the church or at least connected with
real Christianity. I will try to keep away from religious enter-
tainment. Maybe I can succeed, as the recording firm for whom I
have worked on the reissues is willing to do something in this.
The idea is to get something good and authentic to be released
on the European market, and almost nothing is to be had here.

A man I'm really eager to meet also is Thomas A. Dorsey, whose
work you will surely be acquainted with. But this is someone I
know of, but there might be many that I am still not acquainted
with that might be very important.

Hoping to receive your answer in due course, and hoping above all
that I can meet you during my stay in the U.S.A.,

sincerely yours

P.S. Under separate cover I'm sending you some jackets of records
that I edited. In short there will appear also a LP of
Clarence Williams recordings of the late twenties, one of
Nennie Moten and Charlie Creath and a second one of blues of the
thirties.

July 23, 1961

Dear Dr. Rockmeaker:

Your note and the most interesting record jackets which you sent me arrived while I was away from New York on a long lecture tour, coast-to-coast to California. In fact, my lecture season just recently closed with an appearance at the Boston Arts Festival where I narrated a Blues Evening with Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. Your own record notes are very good and what a fine selection of music!

When you arrive in September, let me know, and I will be happy to meet you, and to give you the names of persons who might be of help to you in the things you wish to accomplish in the U. S. A. I will be away in the country finishing a book until about September 15th, but mail will always reach me at the above address, my home.

I'm wondering if you know Rosey Pool who was here last year; or Paul Brennan who has translated my poetry? Both are Dutch, but now live in London, and I saw them there in November on my return from Africa. Nice people!

Maybe I have some old blues records you have not heard. We'll see when you come.

Cordial regards and all good wishes,

Dr H. R. BOOKMAAKER

Plantsoen 85

LEIDEN - Tel. 33918

March 5, 1962

Langston Hughes,
20 East 127 Street,
New York.

Dear Mister Hughes,

It has been a long time since I had the privilege of being your guest. This occurrence stands out as something very special of my American trip. I won't forget your kindness.

I really must thank you again for the fine books that you gave me. They are a real delight to me, and the finest kind of souvenir that one can imagine.

Also in this way, and through the talk we could have together, I have gained a better insight in the music and its problems that I am dealing with.

By now you are probably returned from your African stay. I hope you had a profitable time and have been able to help your friends over there with all your knowledge and insight.

I really hope that we may be able to meet again some day. In the mean time I hope that letters may keep us in some kind of contact. I am eager to know the new ventures you are engaged in.

As usual, I am very busy. I just finished the writing of a little booklet on dealing with the arts. And at the present moment I am giving quite a few lectures on gospelsongs etc.

Hoping to meet you again, thanking you for all your kindness,

yours truly

P.S. How has the play Black Nativity been received? Has it had success? I enjoyed me very much and am proud to have been able at the première.

Dr H. R. ROOKMAAKEK
1 Plantsoen 85
LEIDEN - Tel. 33918

December 19, 1963

Langston Hughes,
20 East 127 Street,
New York. N.Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes,

It is already a long time since you was so kind as to entertain
me as your guest in your home. I often think back to those
wonderful days in the States, in which I met many people that
left a lasting impression with me, of which you are certainly
not the meanest. I must say also that I have read the books
that you gave me with much interest, widening my knowledge of
the Negro folkways in many respects.

At the moment I am engaged in a project of reissuing old
records, mainly from the twenties. Included are blues from
Georgia Tom (Thomas Dorsey himself has helped me much for writ-
ting the liner notes, with is my personal duty) and from
Ms Rainey and others.

Now I asking your help with respect to the Ma Rainey recordings.
For the notes I should like to include the fine poem by
Sterling A.Brown about her, the poem that was included in
Your "Book of Negro Folklore" page 551. The question is about
the copyright: do I have to write the publisher of the
original anthology about it, or Sterling A.Brown himself,
or how do I have to do it. It will surely be a great help if
you, with so much experience about these things, could
point me the way.

I wished I could visit you in the near future, but I am afraid I
shall have to wait for an opportunity to go to the States,
not before some years have passed.

If you know any addition material that can be of help, I
shall be much pleased. Of course I have gone through all the
well known books on the subject.

Wishing you a good X-mas and a happy 1964 --in which we pray
the situation for your kinsmen may improve much--,

sincerely yours,

May 25, 1946

Dear Mr. van Krimpen:

I was very happy indeed to receive the beautiful copy of my poems published in Holland during the occupation, and certainly it is an honor to have my poems chosen for publication during such trying times. It is very good indeed of you to send me the book and to write me about it. I am glad Mr. Landsheff told you how to get in touch with me.

The monetary offer which you make to me is quite agreeable and I am pleased to accept it if you would care to send me a draft for that amount. (Or rather, I note that you say that you will have it paid directly to me here in New York.)

I hope now that peace has come that other works of mine will be published in Holland in translation. If you are not familiar with my books of prose, I would be happy to send them to you.

With all good wishes, I am

Sincerely yours,

Mr. H. van Krimpen
Boekverzorging - Typografische Adviezen
Prinsengracht 584
Amsterdam, Holland

Air Mail

February 5, 1954

Mr. F. Bauer,
VARA,
Postbus 175,
Hilversum, Holland.

Dear Mr. Bauer,

I am delighted that the BARRIER is being broadcast on
February 17th, and have so alerted a dozen or so friends
of mine in Europe.

One of them, a young American writer in Paris, has
already written back saying that he thinks perhaps
Rādiodiffusion Française, where he has contacts, might
be interested in re-broadcasting it there, if your
studio were willing to make your tape available. If it
is a possibility that Vara would permit it, you might
write my literary representative in Paris to that effect
so that she can explore further:

Mme. Suzanne Hotimsky,
7 rue Múrrillo,
Paris 8e, FRANCE.

Jan Meyerowitz sent me your message of thanks for my
books. I'm so glad that you enjoyed them. I heard
the tape which he brought back of your production of
THE BARRIER and find it very beautiful indeed. I am
most grateful to your station for doing it.

With very best regards,

LUCHTPOSTDIENST

Dit papier weegt met bijbehorend omslag 5 gr.

To Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
NEW YORK 35, N.Y.
U.S.A.

Sneek (Friesland)
Netherlands

17th of January 1950

Dear Mr. Hughes,

I'm very sorry I did not yet thank you for your
excellent article about Negro Literature and Achievements
in the U.S.A., which Mr. Fridsma has sent on to me, and
which has already been translated into Frisian and printed.
As soon as our America issue has appeared we will send you
some copies.

We are very happy with your contribution. I'm sure
it will be read with great sympathy, the Negro problem attracting
especially much attention in Friesland where we know of nation-
al problems, as our own people is in such a position. I don't
know if Prof. Fridsma has informed you on the
frisian problem and situations. The Frisians, one of the
small peoples of Europe and forming part of The Netherlands
since the 16th century, have always conserved their own
language and national character, in many respects different
from those of the rest of the Netherlands. The Frisian people,
constituting about 500.000 souls, has a very hard struggle
for preservation of his peculiarities. I think this number
of 500.000 will seem to you very futile [and the number of
500 subscribers of our periodical The Tsjerne will too, and
not worth making such a noise about. But the American propor-
tions do differ from those in Europe, not only in political
and commercial respect, but in matters of culture too. We
think and are convinced, we have serious duties to our
country and people as long as we love them. Notwithstanding
the mighty powers resisting our struggle. I suppose you will
understand these things, knowing what personal freedom means,
and the struggle for it.

One of the expressions of that national
struggle is the Frisian literary review "The Tsjerne" (-the
Churn), in which your article will be published.

We should be very happy if you could sympathize
with our intentions, however small the results may be, and
if possible would assist us with some article or short story
in our periodical. We hope your collaboration will not
end, but will be prolonged in any form. To speak exactly:
We should value highly to receive, in the cours of this
year, another contribution of yours, for instance a short
story which has not yet been published in America. We are
awfully sorry, the copy-fee we can offer is much too few
to pay the value of the contribution, but you know how poor
old Europe is today and besides you will understand the position
of a 500 readers periodical is very penurious.

In the America issue of the Tsjerne you will find
some translations of your poems. I hope you will appreciate
them! The photos you were so kind as to send us, will
be returned to Prof. Fridsma as soon as possible.

If you will ever be in the Netherlands again, you
may be sure to be received in Friesland with all kinds of