from the desk of
ROBERT BARRON NEMIROFF

May 26, 1963

Dear Langston:

Herewith the script.

There is, as I said, still an excellent possibility of postponement until the fall, and we have strong affidavits from two doctors to support this; on the other hand, our attorney estimates there's a fifty-fifty chance of the affidavits not being heeded, and so we have got to be ready. The uncertainty is a pain in the neck to all of us and in the light of it we all the more appreciate your willingness to help out.

I'll call over the weekend to check out any questions you may have after reading the script. And, again, will call on Monday morning, just as soon as I know whether the trial is on; if it is, your testimony would most likely be needed Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.

Once again, many many thanks for your kindness and consideration. And warmest regards from Lorraine,

AL 5-3179

337 BLEECKER STREET
NEW YORK 14, NEW YORK

Estate of Lorraine Hansberry

137 WEST 52 STREET • N.Y. 10019 • LT 1-4320

ROBERT NEMIROFF, EXECUTOR

June 3, 1965

Mr. Langston Hughes
The New York Post
75 West Street
New York, New York

Dear Langston:

I have asked Random House to send you, under separate cover, a review copy of THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW, which they are publishing this month.

I don't know whether you got to see it on Broadway, but in any event, this is considerably different from what you might have seen.

I send it primarily for your own enjoyment, since I know how you felt about Lorraine and her work, but also because I am hoping you might want to bring it to the attention of your readers and, perhaps, comment in your column.

Additionally, the introduction provides notes toward a portrait of Lorraine that must one day be written and documents the somewhat unprecedented circumstances surrounding the play's run on Broadway and, parenthetically, the state of Broadway theatre itself.

If, by any chance, the copy should not reach you within the next week or so, could you please notify me so that the oversight can be corrected.

RN/mn

postcard

Estate of Lorraine Hansberry

137 WEST 52 STREET • N. Y. 10019 • LT 1-4320

ROBERT NEMIROFF, EXECUTOR

CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS:

Oct. 3, 1966

Quaker Bridge Road East
Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y. 10520
914 C Roton 1-4708

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127 St.
New York, N. Y.

Dear Langston,

I've asked the New American Library to send you, under separate cover, something I know you will be very happy to receive: a review copy of the complete edition of A RAISIN IN THE SUN and THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW.

I am wondering whether you might not care to devote a column to this, or, in any event, mention it. Its appearance is an event and clearly, not just of interest to those who care about drama; Lorraine's work has, if anything, acquired infinitely greater meaning when read in the light of today. And, you'll note too, the fact that it contains important material from RAISIN never before published (pps 87-89 and pps 112-114) and BRUSTEIN (pps 306-309).

Incidentally, Langston, you'll be very pleased to learn something else: the packaging errs about one thing: this is not the complete Lorraine Hansberry - far from it - Prentice-Hall will be publishing a big book which I'm now editing, next year. Title: POSTHUMOUSLY: IN DEFENSE OF LIFE. We have not announced this as yet and will not until the precise moment when it can have greatest impact. So I mention it to you in strictest confidence as someone who cared a great deal about Lorraine and her work.

In this connection, I've been slowly working my way through the files and have recently had the opportunity of reading over some of your correspondence - there really was a great deal you know. Unfortunately, however, Lorraine never kept carbons, and so her end of it is missing. I would be most grateful if you could check through your files and let me have anything she may have written to you, no matter how casual or insignificant it might seem on the face of it. This is important, not only in terms of the book, but with reference to the archive I am collecting which should preserve as complete a record as possible of Lorraine Hansberry. You can be assured that I will have copies made and return the originals post haste.

With warmest regards.

RN:cz

P.S. I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me a copy of anything you may run on the book. (Please note current mailing address above.)

Estate of Lorraine Hansberry

ROBERT NEMIROFF, EXECUTOR

CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS:

Quaker Bridge Road East
Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y. 10520
914 CRoton 1-4708

Nov. 7, 1966

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

Dear Langston,

I have just filed an application with the Guggenheim Foundation for a grant which will enable me to proceed with the editorial and biographical work I have undertaken with the material Lorraine left.

I have taken the liberty of giving your name as one of my references in the light of the close association you had with her most important work. The competition, as you probably know, is extremely rough, and your recommendation would, unquestionably, carry great weight. I won't burden you with the details of the project here, as they will send them along when they contact you.

Thanks.

RN:cz

P.S. I trust New American Library has sent you a copy of the new volume I wrote you about. In case not, please do let me know, as it's the only way I have of checking.