27 Parkhill Road,
Hampstead,
London, N.W. 3

Dear Langston Hughes:

Thank you very much for your letter.

I am pleased that you have selected my article for your anthology AN AFRICAN TREASURY. I am honored, sir.

The editors of the "New Statesman" have indicated that they would appreciate an acknowledgement of first publishing the article, so please credit them with: First Published in 'New Statesman'.

If it is at all possible I wonder if you could forward me a copy of the published book and signed by you. I may myself be in the States by the end of this year.

I wonder if there are any writing assignments that you could push my way.

3

27 Parkhill Road,
London, N.W. 3.

October 20.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Thank you very much for the copy of 'An African Treasury' and for sending me the cuttings. The notices were very encouraging. I have also received a cheque for ₡ 25 from Crown.

I didn't know that 'African Voices' had also come out in the States, this seems like a break for African writers. The British edition published by Faith Press under the title 'Darkness And Light' was a badly turned out job. Is it possible I could have a copy sent out to me?

Please find enclosed 'The Third Arm', a new short story, which I hope might be placed in some magazine or newspaper. I have hesitated to submit it to a British publishing house. I am not altogether well-up on American journals, so I wouldn't know/ to sent my work to. I have had a few things published in the continent recently...two articles in a Norwegian daily called 'Dagblatten' (or some such name) and another in Podium, a Dutch magazine.

Among other things, the disadvantage of sending my work to U.S. journals is that in the event of rejection the MSS would be sent back to me in London, and then back from me to another place. I believe the definition for a struggling artist is: a man, creative artist by repute, who lives on the advance of the next work. I drift from job to job, working my guts out by day and writing by night. I'm 36 and like 'Simple' I haven't worked my way through to the first alimony, but I'm told there's hope yet, except that 'hope' and I have been buddies for a long, long time. That we get on famously together...big deal.

But I keep hoping (there's that word again) that maybe some day I'll get published in a glossy and make me enough to live on while I write my first book; you know, the great South African novel, will out-sell the Bible. At the moment I haven't got the time to do it, seeing I've sold my time slaving in some mothy bookshop for no other reason than the mundane...I love to eat.

Thanks, again, for everything.

ans.
11/8/60

4

November 8, 1960

Mr. Bloke Modisane,
27 Parkhill Road,
London, N. W. 3.

Dear Mr. Modisane:

If my visas and things come through in time, I'll be in London Saturday en route to Nigeria for the inauguration of my classmate, Azikiwe, as Governor-General next week. Maybe we can have luncheon or dinner together or something. Unfortunately, I don't yet know what hotel I'll be overnight---I have to leave Sunday---so perhaps you would be so kind as to drop me a note before Saturday morning; if addressed to me. c/o B. O. A. C., 75 Regent Street, London, W. 1. I'll stop by there for mail Saturday before noon.

Your story came, THE THIRD ARM, and is fine. I'll talk to you about marketing your work in the U. S. when I see you. Right now in a BIG rush trying to clear up things to depart.

Sox here is hoping we meet in London on Saturday.

Best ever,

Sincerely,

Cable - 11/10/60. - arriving 8:30
Sunday morning B.O.A. 5:10 so
phone for meeting at airport
Langston

SENT BLOKE MODISANE:

(December 5, 1960)

"SELECTED POEMS"

"L. H. READER"

"TAMBOURINES"

"DID YOU EVER HEAR THE BLUE

(Record)

December 2, 1960

Dear Bloke:

I had a fine flight across the Atlantic and got to Harlem about 10 P. M., and all unpacked before bedtime. Today I put the snapshots in to be developed, and in a few days they should be ready, and I will send you some of yourself and Paul in front of the hotel.

I am still remembering that delightful little party at your place, and I enjoyed meeting Todd, Jimmy, Sonny, and the others very much. It was fun.

Wednesday I start working on one of the TV shows. I have another one coming up later in the month, after Christmas. So I will be busy.

I hope you found all your things from home O. K., and that now that you have the rest of your material, you'll be able to finish your book soon. I've told Crown Publishers and my New York agents about you today.

I'm sending you my blues record today. And when the African one is ready, it will be along, too. Already recorded, but not released yet. I'm also looking into the matter of the cover art tomorrow.

So, best of luck,

Sincerely yours,

6

S"

December 4, 1960

Dear Bloke:

Please put a stamp on and post enclosed card for me---one I had in my pocket and forgot in London.

Man, I had good luck today in looking for things in the basement. I found the zipper linning of my tan topcoat I had on in London, but had lost the winter linning for two years. I also found a quite nice blue overcoat, left here by a Harvard student two or three years ago, and he never came back after it, so I am sending it to you, as I think it might be just about your size. In the box with it will be a tweed jacket and a sweater. A second smaller box coming your way contains a blue suit, and some scarves. All of which I hope will be of some use in damp old England. Boxes marked: UNSOLICITED GIFTS--- Used Clothing; so I trust you will not have to pay duty. Hope not.

I've also sent you my BLUES record, and a packet of books. All by boat, so you probably will not receive them for two or three weeks. But let me know if they finally reach you O. K. I pray they won't take as long to get to you as did your things from South Africa.

I haven't been out of my house since I got home: too cold! And too much mail piled up to answer during my absence. But tomorrow appointments downtown start---and from them on, I'll be BUSY. Missing is your genial personality to cheer me up! Come on over to New York, man, so I can see you more often. You are my favorite BANTU writer! In fact, my favorite Bantu.

Best ever, Sincerely,

sunday, jan 1

My dear Langston:

There once was a man (not terribly well organised) who dutifully addressed Xmas cards to friends (settled about 2,000 miles away) and this friend (top man) entrusted the posting of these to a young spark in the office. The cards were sent surface mail. I faithfully hope yours will reach you in time for next Xmas, but if you should get too long in advance, please don't open before next yuletide. So much for that. I was so mad, and upset, I killed myself laughing. This of course, had to happen on the last day for overseas mail.

In the same consignment is a parcel which I hope you'll like, a piece of African bead work.

England is not the same any more. I guess I just have to come to the U.S., because the way I see it we still have a long drinking date. I'm just developing my fins so I can make the long swim. No kidding, I think of you every time I call: whisky. Jimmy likes you a lot and thinks about you often, never stops talking about the books you sent him. You seem to have got yourself a fan for life.

I had to know you to realise that lyrics are written by people, and now I tend to listen to lyrics with greater particularity. All my friends have listened to that record. It's great. Lewis Nkosi, a young journalist/writer friend is blowing into New York this Friday. He's on his way to Harvard as a fellow. He's crazy about meeting you and will probably do so soonest. He hasn't had a decent / since Sophiatown and will come with saliva-dripping tongue.

He's got a whacking great idea of an art's festival for Africa to be held in Basutoland, to show up the art and writing, progress wise, of all Africa. The idea sounds fascinating, since to get to Basutoland we would have to travel through South Africa. It's a great subversive plot to embarrass the S.A. government. He'll supply the details.

Thanks for the books, which I must admit have me feel terribly lazy, the result of which has been that Lewis (staying with me) developed such a conscience he began work on a novel. For my own part I am jointly on a collection of short stories and my book, for I discovered that I have seven stories in hand. I'm furiously working on them and soon as I have 12 I will submit them. Had a note from Crown offerring to see my work for consideration. Thank you for interesting them in me.

Thanks for the cloths, they are fine. The suit has replaced the light weight one I shivered in all through last Winter and part of this one.

We haven't had any show (thank heaven), the U.S. report of the blitz was terrifying. The temperature has been dropping and it seems we are heading for quite a blitz, it's getting increasingly difficult to get up in the morning and brave the cold to work. But man will always triumph (and possibly prevail) over the elements.

I'm in the process of changing flats, or very nearly, and possibly jobs; found what might be a reasonable job to leave me more time for writing. I'm working reasonably well nights, but I think I do better soon as the holiday fever passes. I'll be sending you copies of the stories as they come out of the oven. The book is coming on nicely, I'm happy with it. Thanks for the cutting and the recommendation for "The Connection".

Was asked to an enormous Xmas dinner which left me immobile for at least 48 hours, completely shocked my system by the elegance of the dishes. I ate to much, drank more than I should, and almost didn't miss being with my family. Space restrictions are upon me. be seeing you,

First fold here

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION
AIR LETTER
AEROGRAMME

9 45AM 2 JAN 1961

SIXTH POSTAGE

MR LANGSTAN HUGHES

20 EAST 127th STREET
NEW YORK 35, N.Y.
AMERICA

Second fold here

Sender's name and address:

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

To open cut here

9

January 5, 1961

Bloke:

What's happening? I hope everything is
O.K. and you're busy finishing up your
book. I've been real BUSY since my return--
filmed two TV shows, shown last week, and this
week recorded two radio things: a writers
roundtable, and a narration for my opera,
THE BARRIER, for the playing of the Italian
tapes next week. And shortly I start out
travelling and lecturing. In February I
go all the way to California....I guess
Miriam Makeba is out of town as I've not
been able to reach her. But wrote a note
saying I'd met Sonny. Please give BARRY
Jimmy Vaughn the enclosed piece which might
interest him. And drop me a line and let
me know your news. After all, you're my
favorite Bantu! (What jazz, heh?).

Sincerely,

1

January 10, 1961

BLOKE, ole boy!

Our letters must have crossed in transit: I posted mine on the weekend and yours arrived Monday morning. And your beautiful gift right after. DELIGHTED to have both---as I'd gotten worried about you, not hearing from you for so long. So this is just to let you know I'm glad you're still living! I have a deadline to meet tomorrow (otherwise would write more) on Randy Weston's jazz salute to African freedom---so am playing the tapes right now. It's an LP in four tracks. The Third Movement is called BANTU---perhaps in honor of you! Anyhow, when it comes out, I'll send you a disc so you can (as they say in Trinidad at Carnival time) jump to it! More anon!

Sincerely,

monday

dear langston:

I'm overwhelmed by the things which keep turning up from
you; what with the record, the books and others, it got so I figure
maybe I ought to have something I love so much that I would sent to you
which would match your gifts. I died laughing over the Ollie Harrington
cartons, maybe because I know those characters all; they could have
stepped out of Sophiatown. I'm not terribly sentimental or anything like
that, not frightfully British either, parker upper-lip and all the rest
of it; but man, I'm real glad I'm black; the black positiveness of life
complete, the total capacity to accept the living of life, the stupor
drunkenness of happiness; the depth of hurt, anger of sorrow: the
synthesis of happiness and sorrow - the composite child of life. Pulsating,
brash; coarse as hatred, joy smooth. Stupid, yet Solomon wise. Frail. Weak.
Confused. Sure. Diverse continent; Cape mild, acrid scorching Sahara,
mellow Mediterranean. Sum-total blackness in the oneness that is I; the
no-one of all.

Jazz. I'm beginning to sound like a cook. Anyway, that's how like
I feel when I see those characters. Everyone of them is a piece of me,
the part of the whole. I know now that I wouldn't want to live anywhere
else than in Harlem, except, perhaps, in Sophiatown, the shrunken
version of Harlem.

Man, it gets awful lonely here, like screaming, screaming down a
dream alley, screaming of blues like none can hear. But I know you can
hear me clear and loud, like it's for you I scream. I talk to myself when
I write; scream and shout to myself, then back to myself, shout and
scream, knowing this is the only way I can tell the world around lives
still: even maybe, just to scream and shout.

By the way, what makes writers such lonely people? Is it that they
haven't the musician's direct contact. Or is it true, maybe, that the
contact the writer makes (except the trinity of God, machine and he) is
feeding back to the brain what he has created? Or is living with so many
people, the characters he gives life, make him feel incestuous? Compel
him into lonliness?

What's with me, tonight? / Some be something I drank. Jazz.

I don't think that I got round to telling you I have a wife and one
girl, Chris, three, candy sweet and real cuddly. I have been secretly
working at getting them to give me in this grey city, that I have a
lawyer back in South Africa working on getting them walking papers. So far
things don't look bad, not good either. So with some luck I might have them
round by Easter, which will be just two years since I saw them. Of course
my problems aint even started yet. I got to sell something quick to pay
for their passage. I'll work on that program when the problem pops.

Todd's isn't too well, spent some days in a nursing home. I've been
lousy about the Bremas, haven't phoned them. That's next on my schedule.
Jimmy Vaughan been down with flu, but okay now, and crazy about the
cuttings you sent. You know, I think it might be going to his head. Jazz.
Jointly working on collection of short stories (one included, another to
follow in two, three days) and my book. Seeing your books make me feel
terribly lazy, not that I needed to be reminded, or anything like that.

12

April 5, 1961

Bloke!

You've been on my mind lately and I
hope you are O.K. and having a high old time
and such-like jazz. But you didn't tell me
if you've moved yet or not. If so, where?

I was just talking to Mayn Angelo on
the phone, and she said she enjoyed meeting
you so much in London. And so I thought I
would write and tell you what she said.

This is about my busiest night, so I
shouldn't be writing anybody. Got to get
all my income stuff ready for the account
who charges me $50.00 each time to put it
into proper form. (His charge usually be-
ing more than the tax!) Anyhow, it is a bit
skipped here)
complicated, since it comes from so many
sources, a mite here, a mite there. All of
which adds up to a hand-to-mouth living. I
was most flattered yesterday to get a letter
from an African student asking for $1800.00
to come to the States to enter college. I
haven't seen that much all at once for years--
since I had a show on Broadway, STREET SCENE.

Tell Todd I'm DE-LIGHTED to hear of the
success of KING KONG, and to read in the New
York papers that it will eventually come here.
Why don't you come, too? Can't you get a part
in it? I have not seen a Bantu since I left
London!!!!!! Nary one!

I'll have to write you later about your
stories and things. All is confusion tonight!
Did you get the little check for the POST
reprint of your piece? Don't write if you
creating. But if you AIN'T, drop me a line.

A.H.

13

June 24, 1961

Dear Bloke: I see via the London review of THE BLACKS in our VARIETY where you are Diouf. But when I saw the play here, I never knew who was what. Must say it baffled me, but the New York City critics were kinder, and it seems to be a hit. Is it still running in London?

And have you moved yet? If so, send me your address, as I'll have a new book to send you soon.

And how about KING KONG? Still on the boards? I hope so. And hope it comes here.

Your story about the girl who got raped (the nurse) packs a punch. I'm still remembering it, read it on the plane to California weeks ago. But it's the kind of realistic vignette I am afraid would be very hard to sell here---until one already has a "literary name."

Tell Brunetta hello! She's a friend of mine---once played the lead in one of my plays in Chicago.

And write when you have time.

Sincerely,

2

After the first week of the play at the Court I was invited by a producer to play in one of the Sunday night productions at the Court. This is a treatment given to new plays by unknown playwrights, and the productions are for one night only. We had two weeks to rehearse this: working all day on it and appearing in "The Blacks" in the evening. Man, I hardly had time to breathe. We went on stage with it on June 18. The play was "Empress With Teapot" by B.R. Whiting.

Quite by accident it turned out to be a personal triumph for me. I am enclosing a notice I received in 'The Times'. Peter Finch was in the audience that night and later was introduced to him in the theatre bar, and he was so impressed by my work that he has taken my name and address, as he says, so that he can contact me for a part in a movie he is going to shoot. I tried to squeeze in that it was all a mistake, but nobody will listen to me. So, can I help it if some people think that I'm 'possessed' by an original acting talent. The artistic director of the Royal Court insists on saying this, and its gone so bad that when I went to the Arts Theatre last night people were pointing at me and some doll smiled real pretty at me. All I could do was try and look intelligent, I don't have to tell you how difficult that was.

Last Saturday I went to read for the "August For The People", a new Nigel Dennis play, which has been selected as the Royal Court entry to the Edinburgh festival. I read for George Devine, the big wheel of the Royal Court, and got the part almost on the spot. It's a smallish play, but it has possibilities. I play an African politician, one of those showpieces of British colonialism, educated into an acceptance of British democratism. He goes into a terrific explosion when told that although he may be black on the outside, inside he is really white. It is at this point that the African in him emerges, though I must admit he merely becomes the African that the white man sees in his concept of the African under stress.

The bellowings of this man has for me an element of comedy. He is a sketchy caricature, and that is exactly the way I see him, and the way I intend to play him.

3

I am doing a radio program this Friday for the BBC West Africa service. The credits read as follows:

"The Kwela - jazz of the townships, written and narrated by
Bloke Modisane"

I will send you a copy of the script soon as I receive the official copy from the network. My own writing has had to suffer for a while, and now that the curtain came down on the Blacks (last Saturday), I hope to have more time to work on my book and short stories.

Brunetta took-off for Paris yesterday with her husband. She's a great doll, terrific fun to work with, and a very competent actress.

King Kong is on the boards, but just now. The houses are becoming thinner and it don't look like they'll be on much longer. Its not yet definite whether they'll make broadway or not. We all hope they do.

I am giving serious consideration to writing poetry and the only reason I haven't written is because I don't see myself as a poet. With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work I may surprise my friends (you, primarily) into discovery that I can - just possibly - write poetry. Some two months ago I was sitting with a girl I have loved for four years without telling; she was completing an essay, and suddenly I was possessed by a thing to write a poem for her.

I have known this girl in South Africa, and because we are on the two sides of the color line, I suffered this thing in silence. Her name is Frankie. So I wrote a few lines under the head "One Thought For Frankie", which I'm enclosing to you in the hope that you will see it only as exercise/poesy, and nothing more.

I'm afraid I don't know too many South African poets beyond those that you do. There's a cat in London who writes in Xhosa but we don't know anybody who could do a reasonable translation. My Xhosa is fractured. You can reach Can Temba through Drum. In the mean time I am looking round for you, and might even come up with a few attempts of my own.

Until then, fly right, and maybe I'll make it to the States yet.

18

July 27, 1961

Dear Bloke---my very favorite Bantu:

Last night I met your friend Lewis Nkosi who came up to Arthur Spingarn's apartment about 10 with a very pretty little English girl who had been in South Africa and Uganda and who is working for a publisher in New York now and we had drinks and Nkosi saw Spingarn's big collection of African and Negro books and told me he had just written you a letter so I am sure told you all his own news himself....I was trying to find your last long very nice newsy letter with the enclosures of THE BLACKS programs and all to show Knosi but being late starting out in the rush I could not locate it, but I told him what news of you I remembered and about your acting activities and all and Nkosi said you are a very good actor, and I said you are a very good writer, and we both agreed you are also a good guy. So maybe you could hear us talking about you way over in London. As the old saying goes, "Your ears should have burned."

I wanted to meet Nkosi before I went away
tomorrow to try to finish a book---else I might
go to jail as I long ago took the advance and
spent it, and the publishers have the cover for
the book printed---and I have no book! Pray for
me or something!

Did you ever get your family to London?

What show are you in now?

Did you finish your book?

Is KING KONG really coming to the U. S. A.?

Is it is or is it ain't happy?

RE-gards----

20

July 31, 1961

Dear Bloke:

Well, a week after I was meeting Nkosi I found your letter I wanted to show him—all mixed up in the ENORMOUS pile of mail and things that outrun me forever. (Sometimes I get 30 letters a day. So who can keep up with them? But I try. My current secretary does not take dictation, so isn't too much help on mail, but most helpful otherwise. And is busy enough copying what I write creatively, anyhow.) So I am just re-reading your letter, most interesting, all about your current theatre activities. Next time you write, tell me how AUGUST FOR THE PEOPLE came out....But DON'T feel you have to write when you're busy. I get that feeling with some folks, too, and it BUGS one. And you, being a sensitive Bantu, like me, should not be bugged. Just write when you have time and feel like it and think of me and Nkosi and us poor souls in Fight-For-Berlin America but not Mississippi or Tunis....Look here, since you've gone in to the theatre in a big way, why not go native, too, and get in the cast of KING KONG so you can come to New York, if it comes. Then you wouldn't have to write trans-Atlantic letters at all. We could see you? Or better yet, get a Hollywood contract, and fly through here for a day going and coming, since a fleeting glance would be better than none, and you'd be headed for MONEY. Meanwhile, send me some more poetry. If you write poetry, no need to write letters. A poem is a letter-to-the-world. And I can put them in my POETRY OF BLACK AFRICA anthology coming up. And you will get a few less than these marks, though!....I am supposed to be in the country hiding away finishing a book due last week. So am going to go tomorrow. It is real HOT in town now. Almost as hot as Nigeria last fall......Be cool.

21

November 10, 1961

Dear Bloke:

Rosey Pool tells me you've moved. I sent you my two new books to your Parkhill address. I hope you received them O. K. If not, let me know. And send me your new address.

Also let me know if you'll be in London around Christmas time. I'm going to Nigeria for the Lagos Arts Festival at the middle of December, and maybe can stop in London on my way back home.

Did you see A WREATH FOR UDOMO? Or are you in it---the play from Peter Abrahams' novel which was due to open recently at the Hammersmith Theatre? William Branch, who wrote it, is there and is a friend of mine. Meet him if you can, tell him hello for me, and let me know how the play came out.

I'm busy trying to clear up things so I can go to Africa. My two most urgent deadlines I've gotten just about done---except for minor revisions. But still have a couple of promised magazine pieces, etc. to do before I can leave.

Write soon---just your address, if nothing more, and if you received my ASK YOUR MAMA and THE BEST OF SIMPLE.

Regards,

(Flat 2) 17 Berwick Street,
Soho,
London, W.1.
thursday, May 10, 1962

Dumela Langston:
Sakubona

In case your State Department has the same habits
that the South African one has, I must explain that the jazz above
is <u>not</u> a secret code - stress, <u>NOT</u>. Both mean the same thing:
hello; in Sesotho and Zulu. Both can be said with a sign language
using sticks, but since they don't manufacture them for export I
<ins>was</ins>
can't send you a pair. Hope you understand. Of course if I <ins>work</ins>ing
for the State Department of S.A. the two words above would be
replaced by 'Greetings'; it's official policy, you see. But since
I'm not wrapped up with it, I'll dispense with it. Sorry.

I've just come out of hibernation (looked it up in the diction-
ary) having gone in there in order to lose something - I'm not sure
what - but I wanted to lose it. Maybe I thought I might bleach, but
alas (poor bloke) I am still the same. Anyway, things ain't what they
ought to be (with apologies to Ellington), and I'm in a wretched
state, emotionally. During an unguarded moment I was induced to
consult a welfare state head shrinker, but I remembered my head was
bone all through; so I gave it up. Things just seemed to be falling
apart, there was no change in my condition; except that my landlord
is threatening me, and I've just returned from consulting with the
police. I believe my landlord has the 'right' to threaten me with
eviction, and the police won't help me. I now refuse to pay my
taxes; I will not be taxed by a State which will not protect me
against threats and outrages of every kind. But I'll Fox them.

Our union dared to dragggg us out on strike and for six months
I haven't worked; I've been living on love and fresh air - mostly
fresh air. That Stuff's great - don't try it. In the mean time I
developed the art of starvemanship, so I became the incredibly
vanishing man. Once my grandmother told me I would go far, so far
nobody would find me. I'm not bragging, or anything like that, but
the last six months couldn't have been worse if I worked at it. The
bridge between me and my landlord has deteriorated to the point of

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2. In any event the Telegraph Company shall not be liable for damages for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for the non-delivery, of any message whether caused by the negligence of its servants or otherwise, beyond the actual loss, not exceeding in any event the sum of five thousand dollars, at which amount the sender of each message represents that the message is valued, unless a greater value is stated in writing by the sender thereof at the time the message is tendered for transmission, and unless the repeated-message rate is paid or agreed to be paid and an additional charge equal to one-tenth of one percent of the amount by which such valuation shall exceed five thousand dollars.

3. The Telegraph Company is hereby made the agent of the sender, without liability, to forward this message over the lines of any other company when necessary to reach its destination.

4. No responsibility attaches to the Telegraph Company concerning messages until the same are accepted at one of its transmitting offices; and if a message is sent to such office by one of the Telegraph Company's messengers, he acts for that purpose as the agent of the sender; except that when the Telegraph Company sends a messenger to pick up a message, the messenger in that instance acts as the agent of the Telegraph Company in accepting the message, the Telegraph Company assuming responsibility from the time of such acceptance.

5. The transferring of the money and the transmission of the message together constitute one transaction and the cancellation by either the sender or the Telegraph Company of the Money Order cancels also any obligation on the part of the Telegraph Company to deliver the message. The message will be delivered to the payee of the Money Order only as and when the money is paid.

6. The Telegraph Company will not be liable for damages or statutory penalties when the claim is not presented in writing to the Telegraph Company. (a) within ninety days after the message is filed with the Telegraph Company for transmission in the case of a message between points within the United States (excepting in the case of an intrastate message in Texas) or between a point in the United States on the one hand and a point in Alaska, Canada, Mexico or St. Pierre-Miquelon Islands on the other hand, or between a point in the United States and a ship at sea or in the air. (b) within 95 days after the cause of action, if any, shall have accrued in the case of an intrastate message in Texas, and (c) within 180 days after the message is filed with the Telegraph Company for transmission in the case of a message between a point in the United States and a foreign or overseas point other than the points specified above in this paragraph; provided, however, that this condition shall not apply to claims for damages or overcharges within the purview of Section 415 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

7. It is agreed that in any action by the Telegraph Company to recover the tolls for any message or messages the prompt and correct transmission and delivery thereof shall be presumed, subject to rebuttal by competent evidence.

8. No employee of the Telegraph Company is authorized to vary the foregoing.

5-54

May 27, 1962

Dear Eloke:

Sakubona! I have seen a couple of numbers of TWENTIETH CENTURY in the past and found it a most intriguing magazine. Now comes an issue with both you and Brigitte Bardot in it. The most! Your article is excellent, and the entire issue on privacy in life and TV very interesting. Thanks you so much for having a copy sent me.

Am I going to see you on my way through London---or later at Kampala? Where and when? Next Wednesday, June 6, if Flight 500 from New York gets in approximately on time: 9:30 A. M., I'll have about 5 hours at the London Airport---not really enough time to come into the city. So maybe you could come out (if you're not working) and be my guest at luncheon (I've asked Frank Parkes, too). Anyhow, let me know, either beforehand via airletter here, or a message c/o BOAC at the Airport. And if you have a phone number, maybe I can phone you, in case you can't make it out to the field. Sure will be good to see you in any case, in London or in Africa. And if you're coming back around the time I go to Europe, why not stop over in Rome with me and we'll go to Spoleto to see my BLACK NATIVITY show at the Festival there.

If Sakubona is Hello, not knowing what So Long is in anything approximating Bantu, at the risk of being colonial, Cherie!

June 1, 1962

Dear Bloke:

Since the latest communications indicate the Kampala conference begins on June 11 (maybe on loth with a cocktail party) instead of on June 8th as Zeke at first wrote me, I am not leaving New York on Tuesday, but on Thursday instead. So I will now arrive in London on BOAC Flight No. 550 at 9:35 A. M. on Friday June 8, and leave that afternoon. My invite for luncheon at the Airport still holds good for Friday, if you are not working, and can make it out there. At any rate, phone or write a message and I'll ask for it when I arrive. (leave a phone number).

I'm wondering when you're going to Kampala. Maybe at the same time?

Anyhow, I hope I see you, or talk to you by phone, next Friday.

Sincerely,

30

August 2, 1962

Dear Bloke:

The snapshots are being developed and I'll be sending you some next week. But I'm wondering if you're perhaps planning to take off for Spoleto soon????? If so, I'll hold the record and books until I know where you're settled.

Are you seeing any of my NATIVITY folks in London? And are they living and eating regular, or out of work like most actors?

I'm going up in the country tomorrow for a weekend of conferences on my TAMBOURINES show. But travelling light. It cost me $16 to ship home by boat my excess luggage from Paris! And it won't arrive for a month. The Lagos box hasn't come yet either. Next time I travel like Barry Record. Tell him HELLO, also Frank Parkeg and Arthur and Lewis......

20 East 127th Street,
New York 35, New York,
August 8, 1962

Dear Bloke:

I hear tell BLACK NATIVITY
is opening in London, so if you see any
ads, advance notices, or reviews of it
within the next few days, please clip and
send me.

SHAKESPEARE IN HARLEM closed in
Rome, to reopen at the end of September,
they say.

It looks like TAMBOURINES TO GLORY
will really come to New York this fall. We
start conferences on it again this weekend.
Meanwhile, I'm getting another gospel-song
show ready to be done in Brooklyn in October.
Some of these shows just might make a little
money $$$$$$$. Do you reckon????????

Frank Parkes writes asking where
his manuscript is. He has moved: 63 Bridge
Lane, Temple Fortune, London, N.W.1, in case
you haven't found him.

Are you going back to Italy? Or
what's happening? I'll send the books and
records as soon as I know where to address
them.

Best ever,

Sincerely,

#3 Epoleto-Rome
Snapshots sent

September 26, 1962

Dear Bloke:

Your record of Marion Williams Christmas songs is on the way. Being a holiday item, I couldn't find it in the shops at this season of the year, so ordered it sent you from the recording studio. It has on it several of the songs from the show ...For the life of me, I can't remember now just which books I promised to send you of mine that you don't already have. (I had no books on hand either when I got back home but have ordered most of them now). If you let me know, I'll send them to post haste. ...And what I'd appreciate from you would be a couple of programs of BLACK NATIVITY at the Phoenix Theatre, as it seems nobody else will post me any. Finally I got some from the stage manager of the Criterion-- after about 50 requests. And Rosey Pool and Isa sent me bundles of clippings. But since Rosey left for America, no more. Rosey is now in North Carolina, didn't stop in New York at all, but hopes to come here Christmas.... I'm busy with my new gospel-song-play, GOSPEL GLOW, in rehearsal in a big Brooklyn church to done in October with a 70-voice choir-- so, as loud as gospel singers sing, you can probably hear it in London. It will be recorded, I think, and I'll send you a disc. ...Frank Parkes writes he's been ill-- and broke. But happy to have his manuscript. ...Lots of mad people wandering around the streets of New York. Never saw so many folks talking to themselves, dancing in front of the traffic, and so on....Never did get either of the boxes I left in Africa with USIS, neither Kampala nor Lagos!!! What folks! I'm glad I brought my white slippers you gave me back myself.........Regards,

August 15, 1962

Dear Bloke:

Sam Allen came by last night bringing news of you---and that very handsome tie. Thanks a lot.....And thanks for letting me know Miller needs fund to send my books back from Kampala. I'll send him a cheque. ...Frank Parkes wrote a letter of gratitude for his manuscript....And today's NEW YORK TIMES reports briefly that BLACK NATIVITY received an ovation. (Reuters. If Arthur M. had anything to do with so glowing a dispatch, tell him THANKS!) And if you're buying the papers anyhow, I'd appreciate any reviews or pictures you might send me, as Vinnette, Alex, and all are probably too excited to do anything so down to earth......BBC phoned asking if any of the songs were recorded, so if you see Alex or Marion tell them to send their records over to BBC radio folks and they might get a few spins.....I haven't been downtown in New York since I've been home---been mostly up in the country a hundred miles away working on my next show with the director. But soon as I get where the big record shops are, I'll send you the promised record. And I've ordered some books from the publishers that ought to be along any day now.......So, until---

Hastily, but sincerely,

October 17, 1962

Dear Bloke:

I have been talking with the United Negro College Fund here, and with AMSAC---American Society of African Culture-- about the possibility of bringing you to the U. S. A. for lectures. And next week when I go to Washington for the National Poetry Festival, I will pursue it further with official circles there. So if you hear from anyone on the project, you will know why. Everything takes TIME though.

Rosey Pool says she's coming up to Washington for the Poetry Festival.

Did you receive the Marion Willian Christmas record yet, ordered sent directly from the record company. And tell me what books of mine I promised to send you---or that you want---as I've forgotten just what you have or don't have. I've a supply on hand now, and will send them on to you.

If you could get me a Phoenix Theatre program of BLACK NATIVITY, I'd appreciate it. Seems NONE of the cast will send me one. And I hear they're closing this week. Where do they go, do you know? My new gospel song-play, THE GOSPEL GLOW, is in rehearsal in Brooklyn, and TAMBOURINES TO GLORY is auditioning. November rehearsals, so they say. So I'm BUSY as usual with 50-11 things to do. Hope all goes well with you.....John Pepper Clarke is in U.S. at Princeton, so he writes me. I may see him soon.

REGRRDAS

36

November 15, 1962

Dear Bloke:

I've been talking again with
UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND and AMSAC about
you doing a college tour over here. It
looks promising, and I hope you will be
hearing from them soon.... If you have a
new address, you should send it to me, so
business letters will not go astray. I
gave AMSAC and UNF your Berwick number---
but I hear you've departed those diggings.
Is that true? Anyhow, I hope this reaches,
alsos the record I sent you, etc., and that
all goes well (or ½ way well) with you.

Sincerely,

c/o Dennis Duerden,
Transcription Centre,
4/5 Norfolk Street,
London, W.C. 2.
tuesday.

Dear Langston:

I don't even feel I have the right to ask you to forgive
me for neglecting to write to you; but pardon it, sir, as you are a
gentleman. At least I'm out of the rut now. I quarreled with Andre
Deutsch as to the kind of book I should write - he wanted a straight
autobiography, and I was writing something else; so, conflict. I thanked
him very much and collected my MSS, even when I needed the money so
badly I was in danger of losing my place - which I've lost anyway; then
he made fresh advances working through a very nice doll working in his
office, so when I lost my flat, and broke, I informed the girl I was
taking my MSS round to other publishers in the hope of raising an
advance to live while writing the book. By this time I had done 5
chapters, which she requested to take back to Deutsch for reconsidera-
tion. I agreed. They were so enthusiastic they offered me a contract on
the spot: £75 on signature and £125 on delivery of MSS. Lang, I got so
mad I could yell murder; I couldn't possibly live 3 months on £75
especially as I had to find a new flat. I took my business away from
them. By this time the dream of Rome had fizzled, the African trip was
in doubt, I had a bank overdraft and I couldn't even afford the price of
a stamp. I've seldom been hungrier in my life, not even in South Africa.

I was kicked out of my flat with no money to move into another and
I've since been living in the good offices of a friend who's allowed me
to sleep in his living room. I broke off completely with your cast because
they bought me a meal and drinks all the time; I couldn't face it, so I
just got lost, perhaps some day you might explain to Alex. I since showed
my MSS to THAMES & HUDSON who took a decision in three days and last
week-end I signed on the dotted line and received a cheque for a £100
with another £50 on Dec. 1 and the rest on delivery. I've been doing
nothing but write all the time, together with looking for a place to
stay; I may find something in the next few days. Your cast is doing the
provinces here and now that I can afford a bus ride I'll go into town
and get you the material you've been requesting. Thanks awfully for the
record, its great. Give me a little time and I'll find your requests.

Now that I've got the money its too late to
go anywhere in search of the sun, and
believe this Winter is promising to be a
real bitch.

I do hope something comes from the
negotiations to get me to the US, man right
now that's more important, perhaps after my
book which I hope to complete my the end of
Dec or early January. It was the <u>AFRICAN</u>
<u>Treasury</u> I wanted, your <u>collected poems</u>
signed to my friendx ROSEMARY ATKINS, I
don't remember the others. Franly, between
you and me, I don't think I can survive your
kindness, it feels me with shame that I
cannot - in my own small way - make myself
worthy of it. I'm deeply ashamed. Perhaps
some I'll be in a position to satisfy,
unto you, the deep indebtedness I feel.

Anyway, I'm writing my book and if I
didn't have to dedicate it to my mother it
would have been for you. I'm frightfully
proud to know you. Just keep believing in
me, maybe some day I'll justify it.

Keep swinging.

To open cut here

Sender's name and address:
Holsane

Jo DenisBURDEN

Transcription Centre, 4/5 Norfolk Street,
London, W.C.2.

Second fold here

First fold here

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION

AIR LETTER

AEROGRAMME

MR. LANGSTON HUGHES,
20 EAST 127th STREET,
NEW YORK 35, N.Y.
U.S.A.

Itinerary for Mr. Bloke Modisane (cont'd)

DATE

Sun., Mar. 24 Leloyne College, Memphis, Tenn.
Mon., Mar. 25 Leloyne College, Memphis, Tenn.
Tues., Mar. 26 Leloyne College, Memphis, Tenn.

On the afternoon of March 26th to be driven to Memphis, Tenn. Airport by representative from Leloyne College.

**Depart:** Memphis, Tenn. Airport via American Airlines Flight 599 at 1:15 P.M.
**Arrive:** Nashville, Tenn. Airport at 2:22 P.M.

To be met at airport by representative from Fisk University. The University President is Doctor Stephen J. Wright. Spend night of the 26th at Fisk University.

Wed., Mar. 27 Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.
Thurs., Mar. 28 Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.

On the evening of March 28th to be driven to Nashville, Tenn. Airport by representative from Fisk University.

**Depart:** Nashville, Tenn. Airport via American Airlines Flight 474 at 6:50 P.M.
**Arrive:** La Guardia Airport, N.Y. at 10:53 P.M.

000000000000

NOTE: In all instances where Mr. Modisane is driven to the airport for a scheduled flight, kindly arrange his transportation so that he will be at the airport one-half hour before his flight time.

sc

Educational Services Division
United Negro College Fund, Inc.
February 5, 1963

ITinerary
for
MR. BLOKE MODISANE
(SOUTH AFRICAN AUTHOR AND LECTURER)

DATE

Tues. Mar. 5
Depart: Idlewild Airport, N.Y. via Eastern Airlines Flight 661
at 8:45 A.M.
Arrive: Richmond, Va. Airport at 10:09 A.M.

To be met at airport by representative from Virginia
Union University. The University President is Doctor Thomas
H. Henderson.

Wed., Mar. 6
Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.

Thurs., Mar. 7
Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.

On the afternoon of March 7th to be driven to Hampton
Institute by representative from Virginia Union University. Spend
night of the 7th at Hampton Institute. The College President is
Doctor Jerome Holland.

Fri., Mar. 8
Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va.

Sat., Mar. 9
Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va.

Sun., Mar. 10
Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va.

On the morning of March 10th to be driven to Richmond, Va.
airport by representative from Hampton Institute.
Depart: Richmond, Va. Airport via Eastern Airlines Flight 569 at
11:15 A.M.
Arrive: Greensboro, N.C. Airport at 12:41 P.M.

Mon., Mar. 11
Bennett College, Greensboro, N.C.

Tues., Mar. 12
Bennett College, Greensboro, N.C.

On the afternoon of March 12th to be driven to Living-
stone College by representative from Bennett College. Spend night
of the 12th at Livingstone College. The College President is
Doctor Samuel E. Duncan.

Wed., Mar. 13
Livingstone College, Salisbury, N.C.

Thurs., Mar. 14
Livingstone College, Salisbury, N.C.

On the afternoon of March 14th to be driven to Johnson
C. Smith University by representative from Livingstone College.
Spend night of the 14th at Johnson C. Smith University. The
University President is Doctor Rufus P. Perry.

Itinerary for Mr. Bloke Hodisane (cont'd)

-2-

DATE

Fri., Mar. 15 Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, N.C.

Sat., Mar. 16 Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, N.C.

On the morning of March 16th to be driven to Charlotte, N.C. airport by representative from Johnson C. Smith University.

Depart: Charlotte, N.C. Airport via Eastern Airlines Flight 661 at 12:00 noon.

Arrive: Columbia, S.C. Airport at 12:30 P.M.

Depart: Columbia, S.C. Airport via Delta Airlines Flight 483 at 2:55 P.M.

Arrive: Augusta, Ga. Airport at 3:23 P.M.

To be met at airport by representative from Paine College.
The College President is Doctor E. Clayton Calhoun. Spend night of the 16th at Paine College.

Sun., Mar. 17 Paine College, Augusta, Ga.

Mon., Mar. 18 Paine College, Augusta, Ga.

Tues., Mar. 19 Paine College, Augusta, Ga.

On the afternoon of March 19th to be driven to Augusta, Georgia Airport by representative from Paine College.

Depart: Augusta, Georgia Airport via Delta Airlines Flight 483 at 3:35 P.M.

Arrive: Atlanta, Georgia Airport at 4:26 P.M.

To be met at airport by representative from Morris Brown College. The College President is Doctor Frank J. Cunningham. Spend night of the 19th at Morris Brown College.

Wed., Mar. 20 Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Ga.

Thurs., Mar. 21 Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Ga.

On morning of March 21st to be driven to Atlanta, Ga. Airport by representative from Morris Brown College.

Depart: Atlanta, Ga. Airport via Delta Airlines Flight 428 at 11:40 A.M.

Arrive: Memphis, Tenn. Airport at 12:22 P.M.

To be met at airport by representative from Lane College and driven to Jackson, Tenn. The College President is Doctor Chester A. Kirkendoll. Spend night at Lane College.

Fri., Mar. 22 Lane College, Jackson, Tenn.

Sat., Mar. 23 Lane College, Jackson, Tenn.

On the afternoon of March 23rd to be driven to LeMoyne College in Memphis, Tennessee by representative from Lane College. Spend night of the 23rd at LeMoyne College. The College President is Doctor Hollis F. Price.

February 9, 1963

Dear Eloke:

The enclosed note is the "official"
one, a copy of which I've sent to Carmel Sim-
mons at AMSAC (a charming girl, by the way---
whom Wole knows). But this letter is to ex-
press further my happiness that things have
worked out O.K. for you to come over---as I
hinted they would in my last letter, meaning
to write more, but have been so BUSY (and out
of town lecturing, too) that I didn't get a
chance. But Bill Trent, head of the United
Negro College Fund booking your tour, is an
old friend of mine, and was most interested
from the beginning when I told him about you
on my return from Rome last summer. It just
took a little time to work out the details.

Maybe they've arranged for you to stay at a
midtown hotel (the Tudor, where John Pepper
Clark stays on weekends, seems to be the one
Africans like best) but if you'd like to be
my guest, fine. Harlem is only 3-10 minutes
from the heart of town and the AMSAC office.
Let me know, and I'll try to meet you at the
airport. It's COLD over here, so bring your
warm things. But there's plenty of heat in
our house, and some spirits, too. I guess I
better have my party for you when you return
from the South, as your official hosts will
probably have things for you to do the few
days before you depart. In April, probably,
if you'd like, some additional talks for you
at other colleges and clubs might be arranged.
I've been talking to Columbia Artists Bureau
about you, that wanted to book me this Spring.
(But I've got too much writing to do).

Man, I LOVE that KING KONG record. Thanks a
lot. Chosoloza!....Drop me a quick line as
to when you'll be arriving, etc. WELCOME
beforehand........Sincerely,

C O P Y - Sent

Carmel Simmons.

February 9, 1963

Mr. Bloke Modisane,
Transcription Center,
4/5 Norfolk Street,
London, W.C. 2, England.

Dear Bloke:

I was delighted to receive today from Miss Carmel Simmons at AMSAC your American schedule and to know you will be arriving New York in early March.

This is to extend to you an invitation to stay here at house in Harlem, if you would care to do so. We have a guest room and are quite near bus and express subways so one can get downtown quickly. Let me know, and also advise me of your arrival time at the airport. Maybe I can come out to meet you.

In any case, would like to have a little writers party for you so you can meet some of your fellow craftsmen (and women) of color while you are here---if not before you depart on your tour, than when you come back to New York. Probably when you come back, since you will be in town so short a time before heading South. At any rate, we are all delighted you are coming.

With cordial regards,

226 Haverstock Hill,
Hampstead, London, N.W.3

Dear Langston:

Thanks for the invite to be your guest, I would much rather prefer that to a hotel; that is, if you're sure it's okay, you know I'm a bit wild - the jungle and everything, you know? I still carry traces of the flora. Anyway, you ought to know. Thanks, awfully.

Yesterday I finally finished my book, so I too can now refer to as: author. The writing was considerably delayed by drifting for a place to live, for six weeks I was a man without a fixed place of abode, but the lodgings, above, were adequate to my needs. I was running behind with delivery, everything was ready, I had been paid for it, and went about soliciting my friends to pray for me. I have been locked away from everything since September with this book, and I've probably lost all the friends I had; there was a time I thought so about you too. I had written you a couple of letters without response, which is usual for me, but not for you. So I thought, Bloke you've got it now.

Thanks for everything, and congratulations, Black Nativity is going great guns, everywhere. It was on ITV on Christmas day, and I tell you man, that play is going to convert me yet. I suppose I should watch it. The record is great. Christmas almost turned out to be a tragedy, a girl friend of mine I had got into trouble made an attempt to sent herself to glory, but she was discovered in time. Tell you about it in New York.

I'm booked on the Flight BA 509, feb 28, ETA, New York 21.40, March 1st. There's a slight problem with the Visa application (I've referred it to AMSAC), apparently I need DSF-66, a form issued and completed by the program sponsor; if this should delay departure I'll wire you, otherwise the arrangement shall stand.

London has been frozen solid since Xmas day, the snow is lying in rich deposits on the ground; man, there was a time I thought the snow was romantic. They can give it back to the Eskimos (not that I don't like Eskimos, you will understand.) How's it they say? Some of my best friends are Eskimos. No kidding, if NY is colder than London, I'm going back to the jungle to doing orgiastic dances to the moon god.

be seeing you soon.

February 22, 1963,
Washington's Birthday.

Dear Bloke:

Your note says you're arriving March 1. The
note to me from AMSAC says you'll arrive on
February 28, BOAC Flight 509, reaching New
York at 9:40 P. M....So which is it?
Thursday, February 28? Or Friday, March 1?
Anyhow, I'll check with AMSAC by phone (as
today is a holiday and nobody there). If
I find out what day and date you're arriving,
I'll meet you at the airport. If I don't,
and nobody meets you, just take a taxi to my
house: 20 East 127th Street, and ring the bell.
(Taxi costs about $6.00 and give the guy a
$1 tip---so have about $10 American dollars
in your pocket to get to Harlem. If you don't---
ring our bell and holler HELP and tell the
taxi to wait until you get his $5,000). Or
phone me from the airport: LEhigh 4-2952.
But you will be met, if we know when to be at
Idlewild. The above instructions are just in
case you find yourself unmet. Probably some of
the AMSAC folks plan to meet you. In any case,
it's all fixed for you to stay at my place---
where you can sleep all day like me.

Bring your manuscript along, so you can in-
vestigate New York publishers. Bring copies
of all your articles, poems, and stuff. Bring
your Bantu self. Come on! I have the feeling
New York has seen nothing like you. WELCOME!
If it's a clear night, look out the window and see
the wonderful lights of NEW YORK. Isa is flying
over, maybe same day you are, to meet Rosey.
She can tell you about all the colleges you are
going to, as she's been lecturing all about, too.

L. H.

15 EAST 40TH STREET, NEW YORK 16, N.Y.

OREGON 9-9255 • CABLE: CORACIWA, NEWYORK

February 25, 1963

CHANGE IN DATES

By reason of conflicts, the authors' reception, originally scheduled for the evening of Friday, March 1st, is changed to:

SATURDAY, March 2nd, 4:30 to 7:30 P.M.
at 15 East 40th Street, Suite 200.

You will recall this event is in honor of AMSAC authors JOHN OLIVER KILLENS (And Then We Heard the Thunder); ELTON C. FAX (West Africa Vignettes - Revised Edition); and HERBERT HILL (Soon One Morning - May publication).

Specially honored will be H.E. ALEX QUASON. SACKEY (Africa Unbound) and BLOKE MODISANE, South African author.

Langston, I saw your note to Carmel. Thank you very much, and we would be very appreciative if you would meet Mr. Modisane at the airport and bring him to the reception Saturday. You remember from Carmel's letter that he is arriving at Idlewild at 9:40 p.m. February 28th, on B.O.A.C. Flight #509.

Jim

SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL ON RACE AND CASTE IN WORLD AFFAIRS

May 19, 1963

Dear Blokie!

Since *time is money* (TIME) in
the U. S. A. and, unfortunately for
your host who has enjoyed greatly
having such an amiable guest, your
time is running out, please accept
the enclosed show tickets or whatever
you'd like to do to lighten and bright-
en your final days in Manhattan. And
get a bottle of Sambuca (and a coffee
bean) so we can toast your departure.

Pula,

46

June 6, 1963

Dear Blokie:

We miss you! Did you get home O.K.
and have a nice flight?......Have you
found any trace of Dr. A. C. L. Jordan?

I'm off to Howard today to receive my
degree. Aunt Toy has decided to drive over
with some friends, too.

Hope to leave for Europe in about two
weeks, might try to catch up with BLACK
NATIVITY somewhere, maybe in Paris at end of
June. If not there, later. Since I'm not
yet sure exactly when I'll get off, nor what
point first.

Shall I keep your boxes here until I
come back, or what? O. K. in any case.

Still nothing but a workhouse around
here, so I'll be glad to go away. I refuse
to be an author in my next reincarnation!

Best ever,

BY AIR MAIL

PAR AVION

L COLOUR

In Dixon

GRAVURE
CARD

To: Langston Hughes,
20 East 127th Street,
New York 35, NY.
U.S.A.

From: Blobs Medicane
56 Eton Ave, London, NW3.
Sunday.

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After two weeks of turning in a suite of
It was finally found out a great little flat, and
today I completed sending my papers and
to begin sending postcards. The first
took a great deal though it was a little last
Lungs and it was a day again. Thanks for your
note.

P.S. Send this book to: Rosemary Atting,
Canorbury Studio, 36 Canorbury Square,
London, N.1. (Tanks)

LONDON BY NIGHT—THAMES EMBANKMENT.

The river traffic is still. On the far side of the Embankment the Victoria Gardens lie in shadow, with the myriad lights beyond of Shell Mex House and the other great modern buildings that look out across the Thames. Colour Photograph by Wilfred W. Roberts, B.A., A.R.P.S. Lon. 1114

Printed and Published by J. Arthur Dixon, Ltd., Newport, N.W., England.

I've been having a running dialogue with my
publicity about the better advance notice has
not been paid; it's been so if my packets await
your return soon holiday I would like until the
fall and more of my clippings are in time. The P.O.
quotation was $21.69 which will be added to
$100 still due back soon as I'm paid. Could you
please? I have not received the proof of my book
and publication is almost any week.
Blobs

June 18, 1963

Mr. Bloke Modisane
c/o Dennis Duerden
Transcription Center
4/5 Norfolk Street
LONDON, ENGLAND

Dear Bloke,

We have all been greatly concerned about
you these past few weeks because we have not
heard from you. We want to know if you arrived
safely home or if you are somewhere in the
middle of the Atlantic swimming toward the
English channel.

In any case, I should like to inform you
that your things are on the way via Parcel
Post in nine (9) boxes. Do not be alarmed at
the number--they simply had to be repacked
in order to meet postal requirements--no
package over 10 lbs. It was my honour to
take care of this matter.

Would you please be so kind as to let us
know when you receive the boxes so that we
can avoid sleepless nights--something already
difficult because the temperature today is
85° and humid!

Best wishes from all of us,

Raoul Abdul
Assistant to Mr. Hughes

RA:1

50

dumela, Lang:

As usual I sort of delay until the last moment and discover myself in
a position where I have to say sorry; I really ought to have my head
examined, and that very soon. Anyway, thanks for all the things,
arrived all sound and safe and everything. This time I'm bored with
London and the whole goddam deal. Things are as usual in a muddle, I'm
in my usual state: I'm broke, depressed and irritated. My publishers
informed me I couldn't get paid until end September, the publication
date has been pushed back to Sept 2.

The Atlantic Monthly has bought the serial rights of the book and to
be used as an Atlantic 'Extra', either to be used in the Nov. or Dec
issue; it's for a nice little figure of 1500 dollars, which I will see
round about that time. The Italian and the German rights have been
sold, the French deal is being negotiated. So things look promising,
but in the meantime I'll have to wait until then before I'll be out of
the financial rut. I've stopped work on the second book because I have
to earn a living and pay the rent.

Saw the Black Nativity crowd at a party last weekend, they looked real
sharp; Rosey was there, so was Liza.

Seeing I haven't got a phone, when you come to London perhaps you
might me a line. Hope you're having yourself a bawl, and the cruise
relaxing and peaceful.

In a new short story I'm completing, which is about an entertainer, I
decided to have my canary sing a song, so I dissected the format of
the popular song and then wrote the lyrics for the theme song of the
story. I'm happy with it, and in fact I think I might try my hand at
writing pop songs, and finding a musician write the music for them. I
think its fun, which is perhaps a good enough reason for thinking I
ought to monkey about with this form. I included it for you personal
interest.

all the best of the best,

monday

dear langston:

well, it takes time, but eventually the modisane will write and
try to make up for all the other letters he had put-off doing
until suddenly under a weight of conscience or something, he
writes. things are really looking up, and I'm probably the
richest broke man you know. of this, later. the book has now been
published for a month (hope you have had your copy), and the
reviews - some of which are here included - have been good, by
which, I suppose, favourable. it has taken me twelve years to
become an overnight success, and today I'm lauded in the best
literary circles. actually the reviews were staggering, but in a
sense disappointing; you see, it is my contention that most of
them have failed to realise the real intent of the book. Coming, as
I do, from South Africa, everything I write, therefore, must of
necessity be a broadsheet against apartheid or race discrimination
or whatever; most all of them have fastened on this and not I
think on what the book begins to say.

anyway, I'm told reviewers aren't particularly bright. only one
review, by Maurice Cranston, an english philosopher, as come nearest
to being with it. so much for them. what I find disturbing is the
parallel drawn between me and Baldwin; our books are even displayed
side by side in the bookshops. By the way, the bookshops not
displaying my book in the shop can be counted. Everywhere I go I'm
confronted by this face with the flaming letters.

and now to cases. the book has done remarkably well in foreign
rights, far more than I think I deserve; rights have been acquired
by:

America, E.P. Dutton

Germany, Knaur

Italy, Garzanti

Sweden, Bonniers.

Norway, (?)

Denmark, (?)

Holland, (?)

2

pretty good, hunk? Of course, it has been banned in South Africa; but I'm told that the serial rights bought by Atlantic Monthly will make up for it. By the way, don't forget to look at the November issue of Atlantic Monthly, which I hear is being called the 'modisane issue'.

it was a wonderful surprise to see my poems in TIME magazine, for a moment I could not believe it. man, that was something. I had been disappointment that you had not mentioned me in the forward, a point I rationalised by saying the poems weren't any good any way. a point which Lewis Nkosi, in his unfettered arrogance, delighted in articulating; but they gave the title to the review of the book. I think I've reason to swollen-headed. How is it going? Well?

I last week signed contracts for my second book and managed to extort from my publishers a handsome advance - I suppose it's fair to point out that it was my publisher who offered a £500 advance; needless to say they was no note of dissent.

In the meantime BLAME ME has earned for me seven figures in sterling which I have not got because although contracts are concluded I will not see the dough until they pay off. Please be patient a little longer, when I shall join the ranks of the wealthy.

My very fond regards to the Harpels, George and Abdul.

Delighted to hear about possible film work in Africa, do tell more. What is it to be? Are you going to make a lot of money? Hope you do. I have been turned down by the Guggenheim Foundation, the Gulbenkian Foundation and teased by the Houghton Mifflin, who want to tie me up for a $5,000 grant in aid. I'm trying others, Rockefellow and Ford. Mean time things are great for me.

pula,

bloke

PRL mro 6z 5371

A4 | R | A4

October 28

Dear Lang:

I've just received a copy of the American edition of BLAME ME and was vastly impressed by your quote ... ' - an intensely readable auto-narrative, is an important addition to the recorded truths of our time.' Have you seen a copy? Anyway, thanks, dear friend. I don't remember the last count I gave to you, but the book is now to be translated into six European languages. France is still outstanding, which is a shame, because of the French belt in Africa. Denmark, Holland and Finland are the new additions. I think I've had all the luck I deserve with this book.

My publishers have now got me to write, rather, to sign contracts for my second book, which they were generous enough to give me up to Dec., 1964 to produce. Work on it is still slow, mainly because because there's still so much research to do, with the most important of which is in the archives in Cape Town; but I think this will be solved soon. In the meantime things are really looking up; I've had word from my NY agent that THE REPORTER has bought the story, THE SITUATION, for a princely sum of 450 dollars. And as you know, it's just a matter of days now when ATLANTIC MONTHLY will be publishing 'a condensed version of chapters nine through twelve of BLAME ME.'

Our 'friend', Richard Rive, has written what can only be described as a maliciously hostile review of my book for Forum Services, which will be published in Africa. Fortunately, or something, the editor of the service happens to be a friend of mine, and in sending me the review pointed out that the review was so personally hostile that he had to tone it down - which was a pity because Richard has done himself a personal disservice by the review, reflecting upon him more than it does me. It was putrid. I think I know why, this, together with the fact that he is, in effect, a little man. I was more amused than irritated by it. It's pathetic how some writers have so little charity; but then, no matter I have suffered very little by it.

Kattie Cumbo writes me to say you sent her tickets to see your play - she's absolutely enchanted by the gesture, which is a very nice thing to do. Thanks awfully, Lang. Wish they made writers more like you.

By the way, my application for a grant has been turned down by the Guggenheim Foundation, the Gulbenkian Foundation, the John F. Saxon Memorial Trust; but I was forced to turn down a 5000 dollar grant by Houghton Mifflin, mainly because 8000 dollars of it is pre-payment against royalties. I just happen to be contracted to Thames & Hudson (who have offered a 1500-dollar advance) and E.P. Dutton & Co. Anyway, some thing will come up; there's still the Ford and Rockeller Foundations. Dear friend, please don't laugh, but I've lost my address book again - it's getting to be quite boring.

Has the play opened? What has been the reception? Are the dollars flowing in? Hope so.

Love and remembrances to the Harpels, George, Abdul, indeed all. How is D? Never heard from her, which is not surprising.

pula.

bloke

Blok8

First fold here

anywhere

Sender's name and address:

Boba Medbavain

56 Elton Ave
London, N.W.3
England

Second fold here

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION
AIR LETTER
1963
6 25 PM
LONDON

AEROGRAMME

MR. LANCSTON HUGHES,
20 East 127th Street,
New York 35, N.Y.
United States

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SOUTH AFRICAN

BLAME ME ON HISTORY. By Bloke Modisane. E.P. Dutton & Co.,
New York. 311 pages $4.50

"Race hatred is a devastating avalanche; it cannot afford to classify, to pick and choose its subject. I preferred the whites as prejudiced brutes I could hate at first sight. Hate was the single human emotion which held me together, I leaned upon it gently, jealously, clutching desperately on to it."

BLAME ME ON HISTORY is an autobiography of a black man born in Sophiatown, South Africa — Mr. Bloke Modisane. It is an interesting and skillful literary work based on his life before he left South Africa and an "amaigam of Americana, cinema culture, literary sophistication, journalism, tribal tradition and high-life taken from his childhood and adolescence and written by a man in full political maturity."

From the pages of BLAME ME ON HISTORY, you can visualize the similarity of life in South Africa and that here in many parts of the United States. The humiliation, brutality and injustice suffered by blacks under white supremacy is like a strong tornado which leaves behind only destruction, human destruction, as was the case in Sophiatown and in the life of Bloke Modisane.

During Mr. Modisane's childhood he saw one of his sisters die of starvation, his father battered to death nonsensically. In growing up, he realizes that even a black South African needs love, life and integrity.

Many of us know too well what Mr. Modisane is saying for we too have lived somewhat the same existence, but too many do not know-- but they can learn from BLAME ME ON HISTORY.

This is a book full of emotions, human emotions, Mr. Modisane's emotions. Take a real good look at BLAME ME ON HISTORY, for another handwriting is on the wall.

Kattie M. Cumbo

Printed by: Kattie M. Cumbo, Brooklyn, New York - PR.88774

Reprint from Freedomways, 799 Broadway, New York City

KATTIE M. CUMBO is a free-lance writer of short-stories, plays and poetry. She frequently reviews books for periodicals. Recently Miss Cumbo joined the staff of the *Liberator* and *Rights and Reviews*.

pioneer; his house hasn't got air conditioning or fans, he thinks they are fads, which makes his house a rendezvous for all the mosquitos of Dar. Which is fine if you like mosquitos.

How are things going for you, dear friend, all the people I know? How is Dupree?
Is she getting better? Sorry to read about Lansbury and MalclomX, that was a
shame that was. I'm worried about Dupree, I wrote to her and never heard, you
might ball her out for me. Convey fondest remembrances to Mr. & Mrs. Harpel,
Abdul, Ruth Jett - everybody.

I finished my second book which should be coming out towards the end of this year, except that I got to be dissatisfied with it and started re-writing it from the top. It's much better now, the writing is better. I have had to cut myself off, with all my letters cooling off in London, but I've written to have them re-directed now. This will be mail for three months.

VISIT EAST AFRICA
THE LAND
SUNSHINE

Mr. Langdon Hughes,
20 East 127th Street,
New York 35, N.Y.
UNITED STATES

Second fold here

Sender's name and address:

PAR-66-SALAM TANZANIA

AN AIR LETTER SHOULD NOT CONTAIN ANY SET-ENCLOSURE ; IF IT DOES IT WILL BE SURCHARGED Selma OR SENT BY ORDINARY MAIL. (come)

16
A.D.
OF
M121-121 VERSIC

Birthday card #8-15-65

A4 L R A4 LETTER LETTER

March 27, 1965

Blokie:

Just yesterday I dropped a card to Carmel Simmons in answer to one from her, telling her I'd seen you in London last fall, and that I hoped to see you again in May when I come back that way. And lo and behold, you are way down in Africa! (If it's like the Lagos Airport, I bet you can't even find a piece of string!)...Bad news: everybody is dying this year---Dupree was buried last week after having been ill for more than a year; you remember the tall fellow, Charlie, who cleaned my studio? He was buried about a month ago; and a week ago, the nice quiet deaf old fellow, Mr. Pool who lived in the little front room on my floor, apparently went to sleep smoking in bed during an afternoon nap, set the mattress to smouldering, and was aphixiated. Had it not been for little Luis, my Puerto Rican errandman who forgot your suit that time, coming in from school as usual (since wasn't home) the whole house might have burned, a Mrs. Harper was way down in the basement. Smell smoke, he banged on the door, no answer. By the time the firemen came, the heat had turned on the sprinkler system, spraying water all over the place. So much smoke nobody saw Mr. Pool in the room, so after the fire was out Mrs. Harper got busy with mops on the lower floors, telling everybody meanwhile she was going to put Pool out for being so careless, as soon as he came home, he'd have to move! Meanwhile, Luis was afraid to tell her he had already suffocated---so the firemen when they came downstairs thought she was crazy! Me, I was working that weekend downtown---and did not even hear about the excitement for three days. Anyhow, I've bought at least 20 condolence cards since the first of the year....Take care of YO' SELF, old boy!...Alex closed in Australia last week, Marion in Belgium---which I guess ends both companies of NATIVITY for a while. BUT my new one PRODIGAL SON is now casting for a May opening. Good to have news of you. Write again soon, before I go to Paris end of April....Hastily,

Langston, old buddy:

The old country is playing tricks on me. I find I am falling in love with it all over again, and I've got so bad and that ain't good. I'm in a little town called Iringa. The town and its hamlets are perched on separate hills and each in turn surrounded by a complex of hills. The escarpments fall into lovely valleys. Reminds one rather like the charm of Spoleto which has not being developed. In one of the valleys meander the little Ruaha River which flows into the Great Ruaha of the Ruaha Game Park into which the great herds come to drink and frolic. It abounds with small and large protected game which can be observed from across the river in Bandas or Rondavols or thatched huts. On one of the hills is Tosamaganga, Throw Stones, now a Catholic Mission School which has a student body of two thousand from primary to high school. The architecture is Roman and has a nostalgic air of Italy with the Fathers and Nuns parading, in mid-afternoon, with prayers mumbled. In residential Iringa, the hamlets seem to be balancing on top of hills. It's a fabulous sight. Being 6,000 feet high the area is cold, but it's a different kind of cold. It doesn't snow or rain or anything like that, but it's cold - note, not cool. The sky is vastly blue and the sun is there, and like in the first paragraph of BLAME ME it's all a bluff. Right now, a few degrees from the tropic, I'm wearing a sweater.

In one of the valleys, Kalenga, is a mauseleum and in it rests the skull of Mkwawa, or rather, Chief Mkwawa I, 1844 -1899. One of the clauses of the Treaty of Versailles conditions that the skull of Chief Mkwawa has been returned to Tanganyika. Yesterdays I photographed that skull about fifteen times, and depending on the quality of the prints I intend to have this skull on the jacket of my book on the Maji-Maji Resistance which I am now researching into. I think I told you a bit about it in my last letter. I have also completed a two-day interview with the son of Chief Mkwawa and this morning I'm interviewing another man. Iringa is the first stop of a trip which will take me on a thousand-mile safari, and will include a hike up two mountains, the Uluguru and the Matumbi, armed with pocket knife, permagenate of potash and a snake-bite serum. I'm beginning to feel like Stanley in search of Dr. Livingstone, with this striking exemption - I haven't got a train of native porters.

I am re-visiting the battle areas of the Maji-Maji Resistance to assemble an oral account of the resistance from either the old-timers still living (I hope) or their children who might have heard the stories first hand. There will of course be embellishments, but if I receive as many accounts I might find a common trend to arrive at a reasonable assessment. So pray for me, or something, so those black and green mambas will keep away from me. Anyway, its madly exciting re-assembling an African historiography from oral traditions. Now, Langston, why don't I choose nice simple things to do? Something that can be done in the comfort of a warm flat or apartment, ha? I must be a nut or something.

I will have to interrupt the safari to attend an International Congress on African History at the University College, Dar-es-Salaam, on September 26 to October 2, and then continue the safari. Big-wheel historians from all over the world will be attending and it got into somebody to invite me to read a paper. Langston, I'm scared, I don't know what to say. I'm just a bum writer with pretensions about writing books on history - note, not history books. So here I am stuck with this terrible responsibility. Already my knees are shaking, and it's still two weeks away.

Fabulously proud to have read the fantastic notices Progical Son got, and to actually share a billing with Brecht, man, that's really something. Congratulations, old buddy, it couldn't happen to a more favourite Bantu (American variety) of mine. I'm hysterical with joy. Nice going. I hope it runs for ever, at least until I get there the middle of next year.

I'm applying to U.C.L.A. as a resident author and if I get it (touch wood), I'll be in the States around May or thereabout. Even if I don't get it I'll be still there one way or the other, and this time I intend to stay for a while. I've done the British scene and now want to live in New York. I'll soon be looking for an apartment and will be able to see more of you. The way I see it, if I don't get to make the UCLA scene I'll try other colleges with an African Studies Program, there must be one that will want me. Otherwise it would contribute to my sense of rejection, and you know what that's like. No kidding, I think I'm ready for New York now. To turn that jazzy into a crown on the head of one, Bloke Modisane.

But before that I have four months in Germany - eight to ten weeks doing an advanced course of German at the Goethe Institute, Munich, then passing through Mannheim and on to Frankfurt to meet my German publishers and a few egg-heads. From there to Berlin at the University for a couple of weeks and then behind the iron curtain, armed with barbed-wire cutters and all that jazz. Anyway, when Berlin was carved up the archives fell into the Eastern Sector and I must therefore go and study the documents in Potsdam. East Berlin is not a fun town I told, so I'll try to work in the East and live in the West. I'm not sure how this will work out. From there I will travel to Bonn to look at the reichstag debates of 1906, track down the transcript of the Denberg Commission of Inquiry and then look at the missionary reports. This will complete the German side of the job, and after this there's a week's work in Cambridge and Oxford, three weeks work in the British Museum, and then I will be ready to travel to the States to write my book. By which I will have completed a second course of Swahili. I have been interviewing people in Swahili, and I don't know enough to translate it. And to think that all I wanted was to write a book, but look at me now. I know two new languages and will have added a new country to my experiences. No wonder I'm being confused for an intellectual. That will learn me. Give my love to my friends and say: I'll be seeing them. Real soon.

Pula, Bloke

A4 L R A4 LETTER LETTER

November 6, 1965

Dear Blokie:

Wonderful to have such a long
and newsy letter from you, which came while
I was in Hollywood working with Harry Bela-
fonte on a TV show. Before that I was in
Europe. Travelling a lot lately. Tomorrow
off to Cleveland for a week of seminars.
In Arptil to the Dakar Festival of Negro Arts.
Will you be there? Seems lots of writers are
going whom every-which-awhere. After Dakar,
I'm to do an African poetry reading tour---
which might include Tanganyika and Uganda
again. Where will you be in May?

Lincoln University, Lincoln
University, Pennsylvania (that is the way the
address should read) has a Department of African
studies now, and many African students---it
is my college, and Zik's and Nkurma's---so you
might apply there for an instructorship--- it
is about 90 miles from New York, near Phila-
delphia.

I certainly hope you make it to the
States again. I imagine that young lady in
Brooklyn does, too!

I'll send you my new Simple book
(by boat) if you'll let me know where you'll
be in 6 or 8 weeks, as it takes that long for
books to get to East Africa, and I know it will
would not follow you on safari.

Hastily, while packing to leave,
but sincerely,

Sheraton-Kingston Hotel

Kingston, Jamaica

friday 20

my dear Langston:

I was saving this for the big surprise, but the punch line of it got sort of sour. You see, famous people tend to be ex-directory, and there I was at JFK trying desperately to phone you. But alas.

Anyway I am in Jamaica for seven weeks filming in a big MGM production - an adventure story set in the Congo during the emergency. Now, if you promise not to hold it against me or inform African nationalist I'll tell you what I play in the film. Okay? Well, I'm a mercenary fighting for Tshombe. The things people will do for money. But I know my secret will be safe with you.

It stars Rod Taylor and Jimmy Brown, late of the Cleveland Pros. The money is good and I was flown out here first class, the luxury was embarrassing. All the booze I could drink all thrown in by MGM.

On my back to London about the middle of March I intend to spent a week in New York and see all my friends. So I'll be seeing you round that time, to apologise personally for not having written you for almost a year. But as you know I was travelling in Africa and Europe collecting material for a new book which turned out to be a staggering amount of work, frightening almost, but I suppose one has to try 'because I'm a good old guy.'

I haven't been doing much writing and sort of got bored with scratching for a living, so I've turned to making money. And somehow this promise is to be a good year for me - might even turn out to be the eve of the September of my years. Suddenly I am snowed down with work. I actually had to choose between two films - one would have taken me to Kenya for ten weeks and this one offered me the Americas and a chance to see you. So guess which one I took?

Lisbet Holmes is bringing you a present - four selections of the best tea in the world. I gave her your number to reach you. She will be showing her dresses to the New York rich.

Sheraton-Kingston Hotel

Kingston, Jamaica

Lisbet is a fantastically nice person I think you will like.
She designs and makes very expensive clothes from Indian
fabrics. You might also give her a message from me. In my
gloriously disjointed manner I forgot her New York address
in London, so if she could write me.

Once you said you had sent me a consignment of books in
Africa, well something must have gone wrong because I never
received it. I needn't tell you about postal systems in Africa.
Africa must be what you meant when you wrote 'I'll go so
far you won't reach me by mail.'

The weather is marvellous, the sun blazing away and the rich
are lying in the sun or paddling in the pool. The trouble
with me is I've never learned to be idle, I always feel that
I ought to be doing something, like writing letters on such
a beautiful day. Which must be what's wrong with me, because
whenever the sun comes out and its lovely and warm, what do
you think I do? I want to work. The warmth seems to put
energy into me. It takes all types.

I should be phoning Peter Abrhams and going out to see him.
I spoke to him on the phone yesterday.

I know I shouldn't be writing you about the sun particularly
since New York may be blistering cold, so buddy, if you
should want to get away from it all, why not fly down to
Kingston where the girls are barely dressed and Bloke won't
sun bathe because it does nothing for his tan. So what's the
point. Well, old buddy, the London address: 32a Chalcot
Square, London NW1.

And above for Kingston.

Pula

Bloke

January 24, 1967

Blokier---

Come here!

Just had a nice phone conversation
with lisbeth Holmes who gave me your cur-
rent address. I'm to see her on the week-
end.

I'm going to California in
February, but will be back before you get
here in March (when she says you might
be coming to New York---hope so).

Right now I've got the flu!

Feel bike the end of nowhere.

So---till I hear from you.

Sincerely,

P.S. My Aunt, Mrs. Harper, is seriously ill in the hospital since Christmas. Seemingly not much hope.

February 1, 1967

DEAR BLOKIE:

DE-lightful hearing from you. I'd already talked with Lisbet by phone, and had a drink with her the other day and got my tea—a wonderful assortment—and saw some of her blockprints and ties and things, which are beautiful. We hit it off well, and she gave me her London address—where she says I can also find YOU. (Shades of Spoleto! Also Brooklyn!)

I just might go to Paris for a couple of weeks in March since my SIMPLE book is coming out there on the 15th of that month. So if I miss you in New York, I'll maybe see you in London, since I could stop by there on the way back. When you know, tell me about when you'd be coming through New York; and when you might be back in England.

At the moment, I'm getting ready to go to California for Negro History Week programs at the University in Los Angeles. But I'll be back in town by the end of the month. My Aunt has very ill in the hospital, so I don't want to be away too long.

If you see Peter Abrams, and Louise Bennett tell them HELLO, and tell Louise I love her book of folk poems and songs she sent me.

Hope you become a movie STAR and make $500,000 and pounds and francs and more $500,000. Best ever,