Brooks, Gwendolyn; Shaun O. Henderson, (James Baldwin).

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TO A YOUNG BLACK POET; [In the form of Brooks’ handwritten response on front and back of Henderson's typed letter to her].

[Chicago: circa 1986]. Brooks’ letter is written in red ink on the lower third of the recto and upper half of the verso of Henderson’s typed letter dated August 20, 1986 (her response is undated). Her letter reads in part, “I, too, hope the package your aunt sent you will finally reach you, because I included the introduction-note, and I can’t find a copy of it around here.” Henderson, a companion of sorts to James Baldwin for a few years before his death, was in France with Baldwin when Brooks returned his collection of 33 poems with her introductory note to his Camden (NJ) address. His aunt forwarded the package to Baldwin’s address in France; but the post office there, not recognizing Henderson’s name, apparently refused it. There is no indication that the introduction was ever found nor that Henderson’s book was ever published -- with or without an introduction by Brooks -- who says in her letter, “I assumed your book was on its way to publication, introductory note and all.” She closes with, “Well, summer’s over and I’m now ready to resume the Road. – Gwen Brooks.” An excerpt from Henderson’s planned memoir of his time with Baldwin published in the Oct. 29, 2014 issue of the now-defunct internet magazine “Whirlwind #2” describes how he met Brooks through Baldwin. The article, with its over-long title, “III. Flight #2634 (On the Road, Diary Entries 1985-1986) excerpts from REMEMBERING JIMMY: ON THE ROAD WITH JAMES BALDWIN,” appears on pp. 37-40 (and is illustrated with photographs of Baldwin by Henderson). In Henderson's entry dated 2/23/86, he describes how he met up with Baldwin at “the Afro-American Museum” to see Gwendolyn Brooks, saying “She was the sweetest lady I’ve ever met....She asked me to write to her....I will definitely send her my poetry.” [Note: The relationship between the 60-something Baldwin and Henderson, who was in his early twenties at the time, has also been recorded in auction records and holdings at Yale.] Single leaf of 8.5 x 11” cream-colored linen paper with illegible watermark. Near fine with flattened creasing where previously folded to thirds and small, faint stain on verso (not affecting any writing). INTERESTING RECORD OF THE PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING POET’S ATTEMPT TO ASSIST A YOUNG POET IN HIS QUEST TO BE PUBLISHED THAT ALSO PROVIDES A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF BALDWIN, BROOKS & HENDERSON AT THE TIME.
Item #72134

Price: $1,250.00