Manuscript for London Observer article describing research for Roots

1973. Unbound. Near Fine. The working manuscript of an article published in The Observer of London in 1973 documenting Alex Haley's research into the writing of Roots, along with a Signed program from a dinner in Haley's honor, two edited drafts of a letter by Haley to an English editor, as well as a letter from the editor and Haley's literary agent. The Manuscript consists of 43 typed quarto sheets, with more than half heavily edited by Haley in his trademark green pen, and the remaining pages with scattered corrections, words crossed-out, and a few with notes in the margins. Nine of the sheets have the earlier edited draft neatly stapled at the rear of the corrected copy; the lone exception is page one, which is stapled to the first three edited pages. Overall near fine with minor scattered edgewear, mostly to the large envelope that originally housed the material.

The manuscript begins with Haley recounting how he first heard the stories of his family as a young boy from his grandmother and her sisters, particularly the tales of his earliest ancestor to whom she referred as "The African." Years later Haley recounts his amazement at finding his grandmother's name in documents at The National Archives in Washington, DC and how that discovery triggered his obsession to find out all he could about his family history and resulted in trips to both England and Africa to further research his history.

Haley had published an article similar to this one in The New York Times Magazine the year before, but this version was re-edited, expanded, and included an emphasis on his time in England to better appeal to readers of The Observer. Both of these articles were then used as the basis for the final three chapters of Roots, in which Haley describes his genealogical journey. This draft differs from the first with Haley describing his research into the slave ship Lord Ligonier, as well as its captain, construction of tall ships, methods of sailing at the time, his visits to various English seaport towns, and a passing note about the ancestry of his grandmother on his father's side, all material later incorporated into the larger narrative of Roots.

Accompanying the manuscript is a December 12, 1966 letter from Haley's literary agent, Paul R. Reynolds, confirming that Hutchinson (the English publisher of The Autobiography of Malcolm X) had optioned Roots; a letter from an Observer editor, looking forward to Haley's article and offering to take him to lunch; two edited drafts and a retained carbon copy of Haley's letter to the editor apologizing for his delay, confirming some agreed upon edits, and providing payment details; a large envelope with a note in Haley's hand "January 28, 1973 working draft for article on Roots (extension of The New York Times Magazine article) for London Observer"; and a 1977 program for a "Tribute to Alex Haley" benefiting the West Adams Community Hospital in Los Angeles Inscribed to the Observer editor.

A compelling article providing insight into Haley's research for and writing of Roots. A scarce opportunity to own a significant contribution to the manuscript of one of the most influential books on the Black experience in America.