By the way I am informed that my picture appeared in the *Letter* section of the August issue of Ebony under the caption, "HANDSOME AFRICANS". If you are curious to see what a dreadful creature I look like, you may look up that number of Ebony.

If you want me to send you clippings of Newspaper reviews of my last play produced here in London by the British Council, I will gladly do so. The play is called, "VALLEY WITHOUT ECHO." Better still, I will send you the script if you want to read it.

I should be pleased to supply you with any information you need about myself or my work, at your convenience. I should be profoundly grateful if you would help me in any way.

About a month ago I met a fantastic character called, "THE BLACK EAGLE", from Harlem in a very respectable home and he expressed his enthusiasm to help and sponsor me in glowing terms, and I built hopes of great dimensions on his promise; I haven't even heard from him since he returned. I am chagrined to see that he has forgotten the hopes he had forced me to bulid; forgotten them with the quickness with which he has plane took him across the atlantic.

I should be delighted to hear from you; more particularly on the short stories I am sending for inclusion in your anthology if you find them good, that is. And also about the possibility of my coming to America with a view to establishing permanent residence.

Here's hoping this letter opens the way to a beautiful friendship and the possibility of meeting you over there and making your acquaintance.

Langston Hughes, Esq;
New York City,
New York.

My typist makes more a week (when I pay her) than I do most weeks of late. So true. The literary life has more glory than gold, no kidding. (Hollywood hasn't gotten around to employing colored writers yet). (Once in a blue moon, maybe. I did one picture before the war).

Do you know Geoffrey Bridson at BBC, Third Program? Nice guy for whom I did a script during the war when he was here. And do you know any of these friends of mine in London, Mark Marvin, the producer? Alan Lomax, also at BBC, I think? Nancy Cunard? Muriel Smith? Rosey Poole who did some BBC poetry programs last year on Negro work? Adelaide Hall? If so, tell each or all HELLO! And tell Peter I will write him soon. Excuses, same as I've given you—work, African stories, and poverty!

Re your play, VALLEY WITHOUT ECHO, is it full length, not too large a cast, about Africa? If so, the Karamu House players in Cleveland (two beautiful new theatres that grew out of a Negro settlement house group) might produce it for a two or three week run. They do excellent productions, get considerable publicity. Send it along to me if you think it suitable, and I'll forward it out to them. They've done most of my plays there. Pay a small amateur royalty.

The character you mention is always in big "deals"—arms to South America or something. But I doubt if he's a reliable sponsor for one's entry into the U.S.A. Has recently been having passport troubles, himself, so the papers say. Nice guy personally, and a great "showman."

I just looked up your picture in EBONY and if I were as handsome as you, I swear I'd be in the movies! (Incidentally, EBONY just photographed me this afternoon in a Chinese restaurant eating bird's nest soup—for an article they're doing on unusual foods). I got a great big FREE bowl of soup!

Regarding Negro papers and magazines, they've lately been laying off staff members. And they get (I'm sure) dozens of letters a month from folks all over the world wanting to work for them. I've gotten at least 20 such from Africa while gathering these stories. There are only about a half dozen that pay really good wages, and they are (or were) over staffed. With TV cutting down on folks' reading, they're cutting down on employees. The U. S. at the moment is neither booming nor busting, but sort of see-sawing recessionward, it seems, at lease in so far as cullud folks go. Not even philanthropists are as common as they used to be. But if you can find one looking at the antiques in the British museum this summer among our tourists, by all means accept an invitation to visit our shores. You can have fun here.

Kindly send along a little biographical sketch to go with your stories in the anthology the next time you write. I want to have all the material ready to present to the publishers in a couple of weeks or so....Mrs. Casely-Hayford is from EMILY BIERRE LEONE, isn't she? I've a couple of charming stories of hers....I was once in Freetown years ago, as you know if you've read THE BIG SEA....Thanks a lot for those kind words about my poetry....Do you have my book, FAMOUS AMERICAN NEGROES, or the little history of mine for children, THE FIRST BOOK OF NEGROES? If not, since they may be useful for your broadcasts, if you wish, I'll send them to you—also my new book on jazz. So let me know....Does Simpson's still have roast beef? Wish I had a slice!

Best wishes,

Sincerely,

February 25, 1955

Mr. John Akar,
22A Philbeach Gardens,
London S.W.5, England.

Dear Mr. Akar,

By all means, please do send on the stories, A FACE REMEM-
BERED and DOUBLE EXPOSURE. Airmail them if they are not
too long, and you aren't broke, as the anthology is now
almost ready to send downtown to the publishers. And
I'll see if my agent can place them for you in magazines,
too, here.....The play sounds feasible, and you may send it
on by boat when convenient. Karamu is supposed to be an
African name. But before I show it to them, I'll let my
agent see if he thinks it is something he can place for
Broadway, or some New York little theatre, such little
theatres being in vogue off-Broadway right now.

Meanwhile, I'm sending you my books by boat. Too bad you
didn't have them read while hospitalized. How nice
being waited on hand and foot. I always liked hospitals,
and would go on the least excuse were I able.

Thanks for the biographical sketch....I remember you now
from Berkeley or Oakland, if not mistaken, as you came up
and spoke to me after the program, didn't you, in that
cullud church? And I thought to myself you look about as
"African" as me! (Stereotyped thinking!)

Anyhow, I hope you've O.K. in health now, and very much
appreciate your prompt reply. Good luck!

April 22, 1955

Dear John:

Please forgive me for being so long in writing you and acknowledge
the two additional stories and your play which arrived safely.
The new stories are not included in the Anthology which has already
gone to the publisher for their consideration. The play is at the
moment in the hands of a friend of mine who is connected with a
drama group here in New York. I think the play is very interesting
indeed, but just how it will appeal to producers here I do not
know. My agent did not feel that it has Broadway commercial pos-
sibilities therefore did not take on the handling of it himself, but
he thought perhaps some little theatre group might like it and that
is what I am interested in exploring now. I shall eventually see
that it goes to the Gilpin Players in Cleveland who have the best
inter-racial theatre in the country.

The reason I have not written you sooner has been what I had a
deadline on a new book this month, and had to work night and day to
get it done and I have another deadline in June so will work day
and night again for the rest of the spring.

Your short stories are with my agent and he is sending them around
to magazines along with some of the other better ones included in the
Anthology. So far I have had no word of any sales.

It should be possible for you to get some lectures here but, unfor-
tunately, I cannot undertake to arrange them for you myself. That
is a very time-taking business and takes a great deal of letter
writing and effort, as I know by experience, and I have no facilities
for carrying on a booking agencies activities, however I suggest that
you write yourself to the leading Negro colleges addressing a note
to the Chairman of the Lyceum Series, as each college usually has
such a person, letting them know that you will be available, what sub-
jects you can talk on, and what your fee would be. Since you would
be going to North Carolina, there are several good Negro institutions
there such as: Palmer Memorial Institute, Sedalia, N. C.; North
Carolina College for Negros, Durham, N. C., Agricultural & Technical
College, Greensboro, N. C., Barber-Scotia College, Concord, N. C.,
Johnson C. Smith College, Charlotte, N. C., Livingstone College,
Salisbury, N. C., St. Augustine's College, Raleigh, N. C., Bennett
College, Greensboro, N. C. and Shaw University, Raleigh, N. C. Most
of these schools can pay up to $100 for an appearance and the state
colleges are able to pay more if one can persuade them that he should
be on their lecture series.

Certainly I hope that you get to come to this country and that I shall
have the pleasure of seeing you again. By that time maybe our Antholo-
gy will be published and you can come to N. Y.

22A Philbeach Gardens,
London, S.W.5.,
England, 1st May 1955.

My Dear Mr. Hughes,

The shackles of winter are fast breaking down as the trees wear gorgeous gowns of green, and flowering plants multi-coloured flourishments. They all bear evidence of the fact that Spring is here: Spring when the Young man's fancy lightly turns not, as Tennyson puts it, to thoughts of love, but to what the women have been thinking about all winter! But, alas, all this colour and beauty, with which Spring surrounds us, breeds nostalgia in our minds for we take the opportunity of thinking of summer, as indeed, we are already. And summer brings in its wake the nostalgia of the autumn and that winter! We are never satisfied and could not be strictly seasonal animals as other members of the animal kindom who find hibernation a necessary part of the seasonal existence! Anyway, enough of this...

I wish you well in your dead-line commitments. Much as I wish you well in all you do, I cannot help feeling that you are burning your candle not only at both ends but in the middle as well. I do hope this is not true for I am firmly convinced that we haven't yet received all that your pen can give us and I say this with sincerity for there is unmistakable growth in your literary prowess from more to more.

Thank you for passing on the play to your friend and promising to send it on to the Gilpin Players in Cleveland later. I had suspected that the theme was one that in no case lent it itself to commercial possibility in any big theatre. As you are obviously aware, plays stage better than they read especially that one which owes a lot to the local colour, the atmosphere, the music, the costumes etc. Anyway, should the Gilpin Players decide to do it, could it not be arranged to coincide with my visit so that I could play the part of Williams which I played here in London? I think it would give the play added interest value and the publicity people could utilise that factor. What do you think?

I am sending air letters to all the institutions whose addresses you most kindly sent me. But they are all in North Carolina where I shall be for only a short time. I am more interested in lecture-engagements in New York and, if possible, the East. If it won't distract you from your dead-line work, could you please suggest a few institutions, churches etc. that could use my services, please?

Regarding the possibility of a New York appearance in connection with the publication of the Anthology, I would be delighted to do so. Indeed, if you could tell me the exact date of its publication, I could so arrange my holiday to make both coincide.

Life has suddenly grown busier. I am working on a script for T.V. in conjunction with the Producer. Its called "Calypso Market Fantasy". The dialogue, continuity etc. I find most fascinating to write. There is a wealth of coloured talent for variety, not, I fear, for good straight acting. Also, I am busy with rehearsals for a T.V. in which I play the part of an Aztec Chief. Its a period play. Above all, its my revenge for you going all Chinese in your diet! And on Radio I played a part I have always enjoyed to playing: Cassius in Julius Caesar. Perhaps I did not tell you that one of London's leading Critic refered to me once as: "The Sepia John Guilgud!" It is a huge compliment as he is decidedly the best Shakespearean Actor in England, although the least known in America.

Tonight, I shall be entertaining Muriel Smith among others to an African (K)night! Put on your gown and fly over. Best Wishes,

By the way the two books I am reviewing this month are:
"Trial by Sasswood" by Esther Warner,
and "Flamingo Feather" by Laurens Van Der Post.

Esther Warner is an American and I found her book intensely
interesting, because it <u>compels</u> the reader in its story that
is so beautifully told. There is no time for unnecessary talk
because what she has to say is interesting in itself, adventurous,
amusing and urgent. It is when one has nothing to say that one
starts looking for metaphors, cliches, adjectival flourishings etc.:
one then resorts to <u>obvious</u> cleverness. Trial By Sasswood is a fine
book about a journey through Liberia undertaken by the writer and
a native Comma to his homeland to establish the innocence of his
guilt in connection with fifty dollars Esther had given him to
buy a Chimp which he did not get after three months absence. Its
akin to the medieval trials by ordeal. If you haven't read it,
please find time too, its an absolute honey!

"Flamingo Feather" is much too over-written but interesting.
van der Post had turned out a best seller not long ago in "Venture
to the Interior" which I also reviewed. I fear that his latest
book is a comfortable ponter to the possibility that he may write
himself out. It would be a great shame for, although a South African
Dutch, he is genuinely interested in the African peoples of the
Union. That is all in the way of these books. Its cryptic I know,
but I have not given coherent thought to it as I write now. Anyway,
I can't think and type at the same time, strangely enough.

Sincerely,

one

← First fold here →

Langston Hughes, Esq.,
20 east 127th Street,
New York, N.Y.,
U. S. A.

→ Second fold here →

Sender's name and address: John J. Akar, Esq.,
22A Philbeach Gardens,
London, S.W.5., England.

AN AIR LETTER SHOULD NOT CONTAIN ANY
ENCLOSURE; IF IT DOES IT WILL BE SURCHARGED
OR SENT BY ORDINARY MAIL.

I heard that Eartha Kitt is expected in London to sing at the Café du Paris. If so I'd like to arrange a party for her and let her meet the leading coloured folk here. Please verify the truth of the rumour. - John

↑ To open and here

92

Mr. Langston Hughes,
20 East 127th Street,
New York 35,
New York.

87

Tuskegee Institute

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
DIVISION OF HUMANITIES
TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE
ALABAMA

(30)

Dear

For the past five years, I have been broadcasting and writing for the British Broadcasting Corporation, London. I have written and taken part in Plays, Features, Short Stories, Book Reviews, Commentaries, Discussions, Talks and Poetry Readings. In addition to these, I broadcast regularly in the "LONDON CALLING WEST AFRICA", as well as the "LONDON CALLING WEST INDIES" programmes. I was also London Correspondent of many West African newspapers and magazines.

A native of Sierra Leone, British West Africa, I am now at Howard University, Washington, D.C., where I am doing some researches on the American Negro.

I have in mind writing a novel with a coloured setting and will welcome any opportunity of travelling down south with a view to broadening my contact with, and experiences of, the Negro in the United States. One valuable way of achieving this is by undertaking a speaking tour of the various colleges of the south.

I shall be available anytime after October 15th.

I could speak on any of the following subjects. I have lectured on these to various colleges and organizations in England:

1. "Communism, Democracy and the Africans."

2. "The New Africa."

3. "New Writing in Africa and the West Indies."

4. "The Impact of Western Culture on Africa."

5. The Jamaican problem in England."

6. "The Colour Bar in England."

7. "The Colour Bar in the British Commonwealth of Nations."

8. Towards Better Understanding Of Africans."

9. "British Landladies and Coloured Students." (A B.B.C. broadcast talk.)

10. "Whither Africa?"

11. "An Africa Views America." (A series of ten broadcast talks delivered over the B.B.C. in 1951 after my first stay in America.)

12. "Famous Africans." (Part of a yearly series on the B.B.C. on the general topic, "FAMOUS FOLK OF COLOUR.")

If you are interested in my lecturing at your college, please let me know what fees you are willing to pay.

I need not stress the immense benefit I shall derive from this personal contact and the possibility of your students extracting something of value from my talks.

I should be grateful if you would favour me with a reply.