Description:

MAYA ANGELOU
(1928-2014) American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, best known for her autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". Hand-written undated cover letter for a draft of her short story "Rehearsal for a Funeral", 1p. 8 1/2" x 11", sent to Pat Ratler, an editor at Harper''s Magazine. The letter reads, in full: "Hello Pat Ratler, I re-did this (?) times and am finally sending off, what I think is the best version. Please call and share with me your feelings." Angelou signs at the conclusion, adding the post-script: "Sorry for the typing but can''t find my typist lady." Angelou''s address in another hand is added in pencil at the top of the page, and a second pencil notation is visible on the reverse. The letter accompanies a 10-page mimeographed reproduction of Anglou''s typed manuscript, showing her corrections to the text in facsimile. Also present are two approx. 8" x 5" handwritten notes, containing commentary and criticism of Aneglou''s manuscript in several hands, both ink and pencil, including a note from Ratler on Harper''s magazine letterhead. "Rehearsal for a Funeral" would be published in the academic journal "The Black Scholar" in June of 1975. The items show original folds, else very good.

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April 7, 2017 2:00 PM EDT
Brooklyn, NY, US

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