Special Collections Department
The Ishmael Reed Papers
I. Works by Reed, 1963 - 1994
I. Series DescriptionI.1. NovelsI.2. PoetryI.3. Works for performanceI.4. Essays, articles, reviews, speeches, forwards, and introductionsI.5. Comments and quotationsI.6. Miscellaneous writingExtent: 21 linear ft.
Contents: Drafts of novels, poems, essays, speeches, reviews, forwards, plays, musical recordings, articles, introductions; correspondence, clippings, books, magazines, galley proofs, page proofs, photographs, catalogs, posters, flyers, programs, photocopies, and schedules.
Arrangement: Series I.1. Novels is arranged in chronological order by the publication date of each novel. Series I.2. Poetry is separated into several sections: poems published separately, reprints, translations, books of poetry, miscellaneous draft poems, and recordings. Each of these sections is arranged in chronological order. Series I.3. Works for performance is arranged in rough chronological order. Series I.4. Essays, articles, reviews, speeches, forwards, and introductions includes two sections: articles published individually and books of collected articles. Both sections are arranged chronologically by date of publication. Series I.5. Comments and quotations is arranged in rough chronological order. Series I.6. Miscellaneous writing is divided into several sections: notebooks and notepads, miscellaneous fiction, miscellaneous poetry, miscellaneous script, miscellaneous autobiographical writing, miscellaneous prose, mixed prose and notes, and notes and scraps. Each of these sections is arranged in rough chronological order.
Description:
The strength of this collection is in the manuscript holdings found in Series I. Reed
revised and rewrote continuously. Each published novel is represented by many folders of draft
pages in typescript and holograph, multiple complete and/or substantial partial drafts, and
revisions of pages and sections. Typewritten and holograph lists of corrections and changes to be
made accompany many manuscripts. Even short essays and letters to editors are usually
represented in this collection with multiple, corrected drafts. In addition to Reed's holograph
corrections and revisions, some drafts bear comments and corrections in other hands. Paste-ups
and galleys with printers' and editors' marks form part of the record of many of Reed's works,
including essays and articles as well as novels and books. Where appropriate and convenient,
correspondence concerning the publication and marketing of a particular work is housed adjacent
to the manuscript holdings as are reviews of the particular publication.
Contents List
1 Series I. Works, 1963-1994
Series I.1. Novels, 1966-1994
Free-Lance Pallbearers, 1967
See also: Series XI. Sound recordings--East Village Other Electric Newspaper
Hiroshima Day, 1966, for a reading from Free-Lance Pallbearers by the author.
Typescripts, 1966 and n.d.
F1 (I)
Photocopy of corrected typescript, "Hell's Kitchen, N.Y. Aug 18, 66."
Includes correction sheet.
F2 (II)
Heavily revised and corrected typescript, photocopy, and carbon pages.
F3 (III)
Heavily revised and corrected photocopy of "An Old Woman Kidnaps Checkers,"
Part II from an early version of The Free Lance Pallbearers. pp. 45-68.
F4 (IV)
Edited typescript. "Rutherford Birchard Hayes is Thrown By a Horse Oct. 17
1864" Part. III from The Free Lance Pallbearers a tale of Gothic horror.
F5 (V)
Photostat copy with pencil corrections. Pages 41 (Part II) - 166 (end).
F6 (VI)
Photocopy of edited typescript.
F7 (VII)
Photocopy of edited typescript with agent's stamp (James F. Seligman, Inc.). pp.
69-77 missing.
F8 (VIII)
"Excerpt from The Free-Lance Pallbearers." pp. 69-77. Photocopy with
Typescript cover page. Probably removed from VII, above.
F9a Publicity, 1967-1969
F9b Reviews, 1967-1969
F10 Dust jacket for British edition, 1968
Free-Lance Pallbearers. London: MacGibbon & Kee, 1968.
F11 Film treatments, n.d.
Holograph and Typescript draft for film treatments titled "Pallbearers" and
"Philadelphia Left Hook," based on Free-Lance Pallbearers. Correction sheet for
one draft of "Pallbearers" included. 16 pp.
F12 Screenplay contract, 1976
Agreements with Marquita Jones Pool and Stephen C. Pool to produce a motion
picture, Free-Lance Pallbearers, based on a screenplay to be written by Reed.
F13 Screenplay drafts, 1977 and n.d.
Typescript and photocopy pages from several drafts, most with corrections. One
with title page dated 1977.
Yellow Back Radio Broke Down, 1969
F14 "Attack Pattern of Shocks," 1967
Appears to be an early incomplete version of Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down.
Photocopy with accompanying letter dated Oct 11, 1967 from Reed's editor at
Doubleday to his lawyer, Abraham Friedman. Also includes correction sheet.
F15 "His Satanic Majesty as a Cowboy from Science Fiction," n.d.
Typescript draft pages and holograph notes related to Yellow Back Radio Broke
Down.
Draft Pages, n.d.
F16 (I)
Typescript draft pages, some with corrections, not numbered and unlabeled.
F17 (II)
Heavily corrected carbon typescript draft pages, pp. 6-18 and A-E.
F18 (III)
Carbon typescript with pencil corrections, not numbered.
F19 (IV)
Carbon typescript, heavily corrected. Pages numbered 1, 4-5, 7-22, 24-32, 34-44.
1 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Yellow Back Radio Broke Down (cont'd)
Drafts
F20 (I)
Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down or Return of the Runaway Comic Book. Heavily
corrected early typescript draft.
F21 (II)
Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down or Return of the Runaway Comic Book.
Typescript draft with additional corrections.
F22 (III)
Heavily revised typescript pages from different drafts.
F23 (IV)
Photocopy of early corrected typescript.
F24 (V)
Original typescript of setting copy.
F25 (VI)
Photocopy of corrected typescript (V). June, 1968.
F26 (VII)
Photocopy of corrected typescript (V) with 5 pp. original (retyped) typescript.
June, 1968.
F27 Setting copy typescript. Part original typescript, mostly photocopy. Heavily
corrected throughout by proofreader or editor, with textual changes as well. June,
1968.
2 F28 Bound, uncorrected readers' proof
Advance copy. Plain blue wrappers.
F29 Readers proof with corrections, photocopy
Labeled "uncorrected proof," and "office copy," probably for advance readers and
reviewers. Many variations from published text. Attached Doubleday
announcement with release date of August, 1969.
F30 Galleys
Removed to 3 oversized galley boxes.
Page proofs #1, Page proofs #2, and galley proofs.
Cover art, n.d.
F31 (I) 8 photographs, labeled "cover for paperback YBR Yvonne Williams."
F32 (II) Photostat copy of drawing, probably for Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down.
F33 Excerpts, n.d.
Corrected photocopy of text from Part 2, "The Loop Garoo Kid Rides Again, and
Part 3, "The Loop Garoo Kid Meets Spooky Situation," with some additional
corrections.
F34 Publicity and reviews, 1969-1971
F35 Correspondence, 1969
F36 "The Loop Garoo Kid," 1975
Photocopy of excerpt published in Superfiction or The American Story
Transformed: An Anthology, edited by Joe David Bellamy, New York: Vintage
Books, 1975, pp. 259-273. With margin notes, probably for teaching.
F37 Landon, Brooks. "Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down."
Descriptive Entry for Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature.
Photocopy with minor corrections.
F38 Film adaptation by Francisco Newman, 1971
Photocopy with binder.
Film adaptation by Ishmael Reed, unpublished
F39 Film treatment notes (I). Incomplete typescript pages.
F40 Film treatment notes (II). Typescript
Draft pages
F41 (I) Typescript with corrections.
F42 (II) Typescript with corrections.
F43 (III) Photocopied pages from heavily edited script.
2 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Yellow Back Radio Broke Down (cont'd)
Film adaptation by Ishmael Reed (cont'd)
F44 Draft I
"Logic is Evil" written on title page. Heavily corrected typescript.
F45 Draft II
Photocopy, January 15, 1970.
F46 Draft III
Typescript.
F47 Photocopy of edited script. Untitled and incomplete.
F48 Screenplay by Ishmael Reed and Francisco Newman, 1974
Labeled "first draft, Jan 7, 1974" and stamped registered Jan 23 1974 by Writers
Guild of America, West. Photocopy with Francisco Newman's name crossed out.
F49 Additional photocopy of material in F48.
Mumbo Jumbo, 1972
F50 "Scribbles," n.d.
Unfinished novel, also titled "Scribbles Island" and "RAM." Some ideas were
gradually incorporated into Mumbo Jumbo. Photocopy of outline and draft pages
of treatment and outline, typescript with corrections.
"D Hexorcism of Noxon d Awful," 1970
Short fiction published in 19 Necromancers from Now and Amistad I: Writings on
Black History and Culture, both 1970. Elements from this story are part of
Mumbo Jumbo. Republished as Cab Calloway Stands in for the Moon, 1986.
F51 Draft pages, 1970
Includes title page "some squeaky teeny words from D Xorcism Of Noxin D Awful
A HOODOO FRIGHTGRABBER." Some pages from the "Neo-Hoodoo
Manifesto," published in the Los Angeles Free Press, Sep 18, 1970. Also includes
some other unidentified draft pages.
F52 "Simple Folk Will Out: Frm D Xorcism of Noxin D Awful"
Original and carbon typescript drafts for an early version of "D Hexorcism of
Noxin D Awful," mixed with drafts and notes related to Mumbo Jumbo,
"Bicentennial Mural," and the conception of "Bloom Dido."
F53 "D Hexorcism of Noxin D Awful: A Novel that holds up to the mirror"
Typescript draft pages, some corrected, many fragments.
F54 "The Return of Doxin Noxin"
Typescript with corrections. Related to plot of "Bi-Centennial Mural."
F55 "D Case of The BlueBack Speller"
Typescript, carbon. Many fragments, some corrections.
F56 Cab Calloway, etc.
Draft typescript pages, mostly carbon, with several different title pages.
F57 "Cab Calloway Stands in for the Moon"
Typescript pages from three drafts, all with corrections.
F58 "Cab Calloway Stands in for the Moon"
Carbon typescript.
Mumbo Jumbo, 1972
F59 Notes
Mostly holograph.
Notes and draft pages
F60 (I)
Includes list of symbols "used in Yellow Back Radio Broke Down."
F61 (II)
Holograph notes and pages from several typescript drafts with corrections.
F62 (III)
Pages from several typescript drafts with notes and corrections.
F63 Draft fragments.
2 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Mumbo Jumbo (cont'd)
Draft pages, with corrections
F64 (I)
Mostly typescript pages from several drafts, heavily corrected, with some pages of
holograph notes.
F65 (II)
Revised typescript pages from several drafts, heavily corrected, with some
fragments and a few pages of holograph notes. Some pages numbered, but not in
order. Some have chapter number noted.
3 F66 (III)
Revised typescript pages from several drafts, heavily corrected, with some
fragments and a few pages of holograph notes. Some pages numbered, but not in
order. Some have chapter number noted.
F67 (IV)
Typescript pages with corrections, including some fragments. Some pages
numbered, but not in order.
F68 (V)
Typescript pages in rough order to p. 18. Some corrections. Title page "Mumbo
Jumbo [K]athedral."
Draft revisions
F69 (I)
Typescript draft sections, with corrections and notes. Some page and chapter
numbering.
F70 (II)
Typescript draft section revisions, with corrections and notes. Some page and
chapter numbering.
Drafts
F71 Draft I
"Jes Grew" holograph title page. Typescript with corrections. Minimal draft or
treatment with pages numbered in order through 33A, and chapter divisions
through chapter seven. Includes two pages of holograph notes.
Draft II
"Mumbo Jumbo" title page. Heavily corrected typescript pieced together from
several drafts. Chapter divisions and rough page numbering.
F72 Part I
F73 Part II
Draft III
Carbon typescript with some corrections. Pages 1-5 removed from beginning and
placed at the end, labeled epilogue. Dated Jan 31, 1971.
F74 (I), chapters 1-23
F75 (II), chapters 24-end
Draft IV
Photocopy of corrected typescript with additional corrections. Photo placement is
indicated in this draft. Includes partial bibliography, sources, and correction sheets
at end.
F76 (I), chapters 1-17
F77 (II), chapters 17-30
F78 (III), chapters 31-end
F79 Paste-ups
Removed to small oversize box.
Setting copy
Heavily edited. Includes style sheet and photocopy of correction notes.
F80 (I), chapters 1-23
F81 (II), chapters 23-52
F82 (III), chapters 53-end
F83 Foundry proof
Removed to oversize galley box.
3 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Mumbo Jumbo (cont'd)
F84 Final galley
Removed to oversize galley box.
F85 Book cover
F86 Publicity and reviews, 1970-1987
F87 National Book Award Nomination Publicity, 1973
F88 Ragtime controversy, 1975-1977
Many pointed out similarities between details in E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime, and
Mumbo Jumbo. Included is a summary comparison of the two books by Reed's
lawyers, and correspondence and clippings related to the issue.
F89 Cab Calloway Stands in for the Moon, 1986
Letter accompanying Reed's copies of this publication and photocopy of clipping
noting its publication.
F90 "Cab Calloway springt für den Mond ein"
Photocopy of German translation from Schreibheft #31.
F91 Mumbo Jumbo, 1989
Photocopies of reviews after publication of the 1989 edition by Allison and Busby.
F92 "Beast of Pocantico Hills" / "Crocodiles"
Typescript pages of novel in progress in 1971-1972.
4 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
The Last Days of Louisiana Red, 1974
F93 Holograph notes and fragments
Mostly holograph pages, many relating to Louisiana Red.
Notes and draft pages
F94 (I)
Mostly typescript, some corrected. A few pages holograph notes.
F95 (II)
Original and carbon typescript, some with corrections. Includes nine index cards
with holograph bibliographic notes for books used in The Last Days of Louisiana
Red. Some draft pages of "Bloom Dido."
Draft pages
F96 (I)
F97 (II)
F98 (III)
Early draft of chapter 1, developing the concept of moochism. Corrected
typescript pages and holograph list of ethnic groups.
F99 (IV)
Early typescript draft pages, heavily corrected.
F100 (V)
Early typescript draft pages, corrected in blue and green.
F101 (VI)
F102 (VII)
Typescript draft (2 pp.) of Max Kasabubu's dream of Bigger Thomas and Kafka's
metamorphosis.
F103 (VIII)
Drafts for various chapters and scenes. Mostly typescript, some corrected, with
chapter headings for many page groups. Some holograph draft and notes.
F104 (IX)
Corrected typescript draft pages with some page numbers and chapter headings.
"Creon the Gumbo King"
F105 Composition notebook for an early version of The Last Days of Louisiana Red.
Clippings laid in the notebook removed to the back of the folder.
F106 Draft
Typescript, incomplete. Some notes and corrections, some chapter headings.
F107 "Peck's Gumbo Works"
Incomplete typescript draft with some chapter headings. Heavy corrections in
purple and blue. Some miscellaneous pages.
F108 "The Sphinx's Jinx"
Three typescript pages from chapter I with corrections.
F109 "Solid Gumbo Works"
Early draft of assembled typescript pages intermittently numbered 1-53 in
turquoise. In this draft, Papa Peck is equivalent to Papa LaBas. Includes clipping
from Berkeley Daily Gazette, January 26, 1973, on Berkeley as Athens of the
West.
"The Minnies"
Early drafts of The Last Days of Louisiana Red. Combines perhaps three separate
drafts with "The Minnies" (xerox typescript from which a substantial portion of the
final manuscript originated). Many changes and corrections.
F110 Part I
F111 Part II
F112 Draft, chapter 14-16
Photocopy of corrected typescript with further holograph corrections.
F113 Correction Notes
Nine pages holograph, one page typescript.
4 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
The Last Days of Louisiana Red (cont'd)
Drafts
F114 Draft I
Early typescript pages compiled to form chapters 1-30 with pages numbered 2-56
in brown ink. Heavily corrected. Includes correction sheet and an unnumbered
chapter paginated a-g.
F115 Draft II
Photocopy with corrections, chapters 1-27, 29. Pages 1-50, 52-53, 55-56.
F116 Draft III
Carbon typescript on onionskin, dated April 27, 1973. Title page The Last Days
of Louisiana Red; header "The Minnies." Title page, chapters I and II not
paginated. Includes pages 5-9, 15-20, 25-71, 74-97, 99-100, and some duplicate
and unnumbered extra pages.
F117 Draft IV
Photocopy of complete corrected typescript dated December 13, 1973.
Draft V
Typescript and photocopy pages, heavily corrected.
F118 Part I, chapters 1-20.
Includes four pages correction sheets.
F119 Part II, chapters 21-end.
F120 Photocopy with correction sheets.
Includes a typed note to "Joye" dated Jan. 2, 1974 regarding changes.
F121 Incomplete photocopy.
Begins with Chapter 7. Includes twelve pages of photocopied correction sheets.
F122 Draft VI
Photocopy of Draft V, chapters 1-7, with additional corrections and inserts.
Setting copy
Some authorial and editorial corrections
F123 Chapters 1-18
F124 Chapters 19-end
Camera copy
F125 Chapters 1-18
F126 Chapters 19-end
5 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
The Last Days of Louisiana Red (cont'd)
Galley proofs, "Master Set," 1974
F127 First pass (photocopy) with author's corrections
Includes holograph letter to Anne Freedgood, dated May 6, 1974, concerning
corrections and deletion from Chapter 31.
F128 First pass
Some authorial and editorial corrections.
F129 Second pass
Uncorrected. Dated 5/24/74
F130 Third pass
Dated 6/19/74
F131 Blueline proofs, 1974
F132 Players excerpt, galley
Galley proof of excerpt from The Last Days of Louisiana Red that appeared in
Players magazine. Photocopy with holograph corrections and copy of magazine.
F133 Ramparts 12, excerpt, January, 1974
Photocopy of printed article and copy of magazine.
F134 Sketch, n.d.
F135 Cover art, photostats
F136 Publicity, 1974-1975
F137 Reviews, 1974-1976
F138 Draft letter, n.d.
Response to review by Houston Baker, with corrections. Recipient not indicated.
F139 "Two Crowns of Thoth: A Study of Ishmael Reed's The Last Days of Louisiana
Red." By Lorenzo Thomas. Obsidian, Winter, 1976.
Photocopy of the article with letter from Thomas to Reed dated October 3, 1977.
F140 "Radio Script"
Clean typescript copy of chapters 11-18 from folder labeled "radio script."
5 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Flight to Canada, 1976
F141 Note cards, n.d.
16 holograph bibliographic note cards used for research.
Notes and draft pages
F142 (I)
Miscellaneous holograph notes and typescript draft pages, some with corrections.
Includes holograph draft of Raven's poem.
F143 (II)
Miscellaneous typescript and holograph pages, many corrected. Includes heavily
corrected typescript draft of poem "The Saga of Third World May Belle," and
photocopy of page describing shackles used for slaves.
F144 Draft pages and introduction to a reading
Pages from Chapter Six, referred to in the introduction, and Chapters Three and
Four.
Draft pages
Typescript and photocopy pages from different drafts. Many with corrections.
F145 (I)
F146 (II)
Includes corrected drafts of poem "The Saga of Third World May Belle."
F147 (III)
Many pages in groups with revisions and page numbers. Some holograph notes, a
sketch, and one correction sheet. Includes corrected ending pages of a draft
labeled "12:01 a.m., Tamanaca Hotel, room 127, Fat Tuesday, March 2, 1976
New Orleans."
F148 (IV)
Mostly original typescript, heavily revised. Several page groups in numbered
order. Some holograph notes and correction sheets. Includes two drafts of "The
Saga of the Third World Belle," and one of the poem "Flight to Canada."
5 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Flight to Canada (cont'd)
Drafts
F149 (I)
Combined typescript and photocopy pages numbered 1-53 in green, also includes
lettered and unnumbered inserts. No chapter headings. Corrections in blue and
green, and three pages of correction notes.
F150 (II)
Clean, incomplete typescript draft on onionskin with no pagination. Second group
of corrected typescript pages and a few miscellaneous pages.
F151 (III)
Assembled pages from different drafts, consistent, but incomplete pagination.
F152 (IV)
Original typescript draft, complete, with pagination and chapter headings, labeled
"12:01 A. M.; Tamanaca Hotel, Room 127; Fat Tuesday; March 2, 1976; New
Orleans."
F153 (V)
Photocopy of corrected typescript.
F154 Setting copy, 1976
Edited typescript.
Galley proofs, 1976
F155 Uncorrected photocopy, stamped "file copy."
F156 Author's reading copy, with corrections.
F157 "Master Set, 1st Pass."
With authorial and editorial corrections.
F158a Correspondence regarding Iowa Review excerpt, 1974-1975
Letter from Al Young accepting chapter three from Flight to Canada for
publication. Original and copy of transfer of copyright back to Reed.
F158b "Flight to Canada" excerpt in Fiction, 1975
Copy of magazine.
F159 Book of the Month Club edition, 1977
Includes copy of contract, Book of the Month Club News, March 1977, and
photocopies of jacket text and first 50 pages of the printed edition.
6 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Flight to Canada (cont'd)
Stage adaptation by William W. Cook
F160 Draft I, photocopy
F161 Draft II
Photocopy with note from author.
F162 Draft III
Photocopy with corrections
F163 Corrected pages
F164a American Folk Theater, 1982
Flyer advertising performance.
F164b Reviews, 1976-1982
"Bloom Dido," 1973
Novel in progress, 1973, never published. Some material related to Last Days of
Louisiana Red and Flight to Canada.
F165 Draft pages
Typescript with some corrections.
F166 Chapters III - IX
Draft typescript pages with corrections. Some miscellaneous pages and fragments.
F167 Notebook
Draft pages, some with corrections and/or page numbers, bound. One section
written as a play.
"Bicentennial Rag" / "Bicentennial Mural," 1974
Novel in progress, 1974, never published. Some material related to Flight to Canada.
F168 Miscellaneous pages, fragments, and draft letters, 1972-1974
F169 Chapters and pages
Group of eleven chapters and miscellaneous typescript pages of an unfinished
novel, with a draft letter to Anne Freedgood, dated March 4, 1974, describing the
novel in progress.
6 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
The Terrible Twos, 1982
F170 Draft outline and chapters 1-3, May, 1979
Plot outline and draft fragments
F171 (I)
F172 (II)
F173 Holograph pages and miscellaneous notes
F174 Fragments and draft pages
Mixed holograph and typescript, some with corrections.
F175 Draft pages
Typescript with corrections.
Revisions
Corrected typescript pages, some in groups, from different drafts.
F176 (I)
F177 (II)
F178 (III)
F179 (IV)
F180 (V)
Chapters 46-47, corrected typescript and clean typescript
Drafts
F181 Draft I, [1980 Nov 2]
Corrected typescript combined from different drafts. Chapters labeled. Date
based on notation on folder.
F182 Draft II, n.d.
Corrected typescript combined from different drafts. In rough chapter and page
number order.
Draft III
Typescript with minor corrections.
F183 (I), chapters 1 - 15
F184 (II), chapters 15 - 39 and unnumbered
F185 Draft IV
Typescript with minor corrections, incomplete.
7 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
The Terrible Twos (cont'd)
Draft V
F186 Chapters 1-24, incomplete photocopy, with a few additional changes.
Draft VI
F187 Chapters 26-45, incomplete photocopy.
Draft VII, 1981 Oct 1
Combined photocopy and original typescript pages with corrections.
F188 (I), Chapters 1-20
F189 (II), Chapters 21-end
Draft VIII
Combined photocopy and original typescript pages with corrections.
F190 (I), Chapters 1-19
F191 (II), Chapters 20-end
Editor's copy
Photocopy with corrections.
F192 (I), Chapters 1-19
Includes Reed's correction sheet, style sheet, and St. Martin's Press interoffice
memo concerning the manuscript.
F193 (II), Chapters 20-47, incomplete
Editor's copy with corrections
Photocopy with editorial flags and corrections.
F194 (I), Chapters 1-19
Includes style sheet
F195 (II), Chapters 20-end
F196 Unbound signatures and dust jacket
Publicity and reviews, 1982-1984
F197a (I)
F197b (II)
F198 Book cover (photograph)
British edition, Allison & Busby, 1990.
7 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Reckless Eyeballing, 1986
F199 "Attack Pattern Zombies"
A few draft pages with corrections which appear to be related to The Last Days of
Louisiana Red and Reckless Eyeballing.
F200 Story line
Typescript with corrections, incomplete.
Early draft pages
F201 (I)
Typescript with corrections, chapters 1 - 10
F202 (II)
Typescript with corrections, chapters 1 - 15
F203 Story line with drafts, chapters 1 and 2
Story line: blue typescript with corrections. Draft chapters: photocopy with
corrections.
Draft pages
F204 (I)
Typescript in blue and black with corrections.
F205 (II)
Typescript with corrections. Includes bill from Mary Strads for typing dated
2/19/84 and draft letter to Tribune dated June 22, 1984 concerning Alice Walker
and The Color Purple.
F206 (III)
Typescript with corrections. Includes holograph notes and a March 1983 calendar
page.
F207 (IV)
Mixed typescript with corrections. Some holograph notes.
F208 (V)
Mixed typescript with corrections. Some holograph notes.
F209 (VI)
Mixed typescript with corrections. Some holograph notes.
F210 (VII)
Combined draft of mixed typescript pages, numbered 66 - 87.
8 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Reckless Eyeballing (cont'd)
Corrected Pages
F211 (I)
Combined mixed typescript with corrections, numbered 1- 39 and 49 - 58.
Includes correction sheets and envelope.
F212 (II)
Miscellaneous typescript pages and combined mixed typescript numbered 1 - 19.
With corrections. Includes two pages holograph correction notes and envelope.
F213 (III)
Corrected typescript pages, numbered 41- 65 (chapters 11 - 19). Includes typed
correction sheet and envelope with holograph notes.
F214 (IV)
Miscellaneous corrected typescript pages and a group of heavily corrected pages
which could have been removed from draft II.
Drafts
F215 Draft I
Incomplete clean typescript, numbered 1 - 67 (chapters 1 - 11).
F216 Draft II
Heavily corrected typescript with correction sheets, in binder.
Draft III
Photocopy with corrections and adhesive notes. Also includes style sheet.
F217 (I) Chapters 1 - 22
F218 (II) Chapters 23 - 29
With typescript and holograph correction sheets.
F219 Cover art
Includes letter from Jeanne Martinet of St. Martin's Press (1985 Sep 3).
F220 Correspondence, 1986
Reviews, 1985-1987
Clippings, photocopies, and two copies of an unidentified typescript review.
F221a (I)
F221b (II)
8 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
The Terrible Threes, 1989
F222 "Nick and Pete"
Typescript treatment for new novel with chapter summaries for Chapters 1 - 3.
With a few corrections.
F223 Draft fragments, typescript
Draft pages
Miscellaneous typescript, computer generated, and holograph.
F224 (I)
F225 (II)
F226 (III) Some groups with corrections and/or chapter numbering.
F227 (IV) Some with corrections and/or chapter numbering.
Chapter groups
Working drafts, mostly computer generated, with some corrections. Chapters
indicated by various methods--numbers and letters.
F228 (I)
F229 (II)
F230 (III)
F231 (IV)
F232 (V)
Revisions
Groups of pages from different drafts with corrections. Mostly computer
generated, some typescript.
F233 (I)
F234 (II)
F235 (III)
F236 (IV)
F237 Draft "First Version," 1987 May
Incomplete typescript.
F238 Draft with Corrections, Chapters 1 - 19
Typescript with page numbering in green. Heavily typescript in several different
inks. Includes correction sheets.
F239 Photocopy draft with corrections, (incomplete)
Copy of draft described above, with additional corrections and corrections sheets.
Bound typescripts
F240 With corrections and adhesive tabs. Holograph date and place: June, 1988
Oakland California.
F241 Photocopy of typescript in F240.
9 Photocopy typescripts
Made from typescript above, with additional corrections.
F242 (I) Chapters 1 - 19
F243 (II)Chapters 20 - end
Copy edited typescript
F244 (I) Chapters 1 - 19
F245 (II) Chapters 20 - end
F246 Reviews and excerpt, 1989-1993
Includes a copy of Nine Items or Less (1988 Winter) which includes an except.
F247 Response to Gerald Early review, [1989]
Holograph draft page responding to Early's review, "Still Subverting the Culture,"
published in the New York Times Book Review, May 7, 1989.
Japanese by Spring, 1993
F248 Draft proposal
Descriptive paragraph describing novel tentatively titled . . . Here?
F249 "Kaifuku" (Reclamation), 1989
Draft chapters I and II. Includes two letters from Larry Dark, editor of Literary
Outtakes regarding publication of an excerpt from "Kaifuku."
Draft excerpts
F250 (I) "Draft as of March 5, 1990"
Initialed, incomplete typescript with corrections, pp. 1-35
F251 (II) "Draft completed on Tues March 7, 1990"
Described at the beginning as "a thirty six page excerpt from a novel, Japanese By
Spring, by Ishmael Reed." With some corrections.
Draft pages
Computer generated, with some corrections.
F252 (I)
F253 (II)
Early drafts
F254 (I) "August, 1989"
Corrected typescript.
F255 (II)
Incomplete computer generated [1992].
F256 (III)
Incomplete typescript.
(IV)
Corrected typescript.
F257 Pp. 1 - 80
F258 Pp. 81 - 159
(V)
Typescript with corrections.
F259 Pp. 1 - 83
F260 Pp. 84 - end
F261 (VI)
Corrected typescript with correction sheets. Some pages missing and some pages
out of order.
9 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Japanese by Spring, (cont'd)
Revisions
Groups of corrected typescript pages.
F262 (I)
Pages 117 - 208; 217-220. Possibly from different drafts.
F263 (II)
Pages numbered 107-111; 113-125; 142-167. No chapter numbers.
F264 (III)
Pages from two different drafts. Includes extensive typescript correction notes.
"First Draft"
Although "1st Draft" is written on the first page in an unknown hand, this
typescript appears to have been completed later than the "early drafts" listed
above.
F265 Typescript
F266 Corrected typescript, appears to be identical to above.
F267 Notes, draft pages, and correction notes, 1991-1992
Includes a bill for typing from Walda Thompson dated 5/29/91 and a sheet of
correction notes for "Carole" dated Nov 31, 1992.
F268 Correction sheets
With letter from Reed to "Walda" dated April 8, 1992.
Incomplete typescripts with corrections
F269 (I)
Pp. 3-83
F270 (II)
Pp. 2-104 with two holograph pages and two note sheets.
F271 (III)
Pp. 1-26
10 Corrected typescript I
Marked with adhesive tabs and clips.
F272 Chapters 2 -22
F273 Chapters 23 - 29
F274 Chapters 30 - end
Corrected typescript II
Marked with adhesive tabs.
F275 Chapters 1 - 19
F276 Chapters 20 - 32
F277 Chapters 33 - end
Photocopy with corrections
F278 Chapters 1 - 12
F279 Chapters 14 - 22
Photocopies with page changes
F280 Chapters 1 - 50
F281 Chapters 13 - 28
Corrected typescript III
Pages missing at the end. Marked with adhesive tabs.
F282 Chapters 1 - 19
F283 Chapters 20 - 38
F284 Chapters 39 - 57
Photocopy with corrections
F285 Chapters 1 - 13
F286 Chapters 22 (incomplete) - 30 (incomplete)
F287 Chapters 35 - 51
F288 Corrected pages 128 - 142
10 Series I. Works (cont'd)
Series I.1. Novels (cont'd)
Japanese by Spring (cont'd)
Miscellaneous pages
Generally computer generated copies with corrections. Most were found
elsewhere in the collection.
F289 (I)
F290 (II)
F291 (III) [1992]
With correction notes.
F292 (III)
F293 (IV)
F294 (V)
F295 (VI)
F296 Epilogue draft
Edited typescript, 1993
With adhesive notes and tabs.
F297 Chapters 1 - 22
F298 Chapters 23 - 39
F299 Chapters 39 - end
F300 Publication blurb, query tags, notes
Printers rough page pass, clean photocopy
F301 Pages 1 - 102
F302 Pages 103 - end
F303 Printer's copy (photocopy)
F304 Cover art
F305 Cover art, British ed.
F306 Reviews, 1992-1994
Return to Ishmael Reed Papers Index Page
Return to List of Manuscript Finding Aids by Title
citation and reference information
The Ishmael Reed Papers
Manuscript Collection Number: 398
Accessioned: Purchases, 1980-1995.
Extent: 65 linear ft.
Content: Correspondence, novels, plays, poems, essays, reviews, speeches, magazines, posters, clippings, brochures, flyers, broadsides, photographs, artwork, books, galley and page proofs, financial documents, catalogs, programs, photocopies, sound recordings, schedules, comic books, notes, transcripts, awards, certificates, minutes, audiovisual recordings, and miscellaneous ephemera.
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: 1998-1999 by Shiela Pardee, completed by Anita Wellner.
-
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Back to the UD Special Collections Home Page
