Offered here is a collection of Alex Haley’s personal papers, notes, and awards that pertain to his prestigious career in journalism, specifically to an article for The New York Times, entitled “The Transformation of Uncle Tom”. These items have been in the Haley family since his death and have never before been offered to the public.

1. Typed letters pertaining to Alex Haley’s Uncle Tom article.
2. Newspaper clippings in reference to Haley’s Uncle Tom article, including envelopes.
3. An outline of the article, by Haley.
3. Typed draft of “The Transformation of Uncle Tom” by Haley.

Alex Haley taught himself the craft of writing whilst serving in the United States Coast Guard in The Pacific Theater during World War II. During this time he developed writing stories, and eventually his writing became so evocative that he even ghost wrote love letters for his compatriots and their sweethearts back home.

Once the war was over, Haley petitioned The Coast Guard for a transfer into journalism, where he quickly progressed to chief petty officer in the rating of journalism — a new ranking that was created for him in recognition of his great writing abilities.

Following his retirement from The Coast Guard in 1959, Haley went on to edit and write for a litany of magazines and newspapers, however his interviews for Playboy Magazine proved to be the most legendary. Haley’s interviews with Miles Davis, Muhammad Ali, Sammy Davis Jr., and Quincy Jones, were groundbreaking due to the journalist’s ability to tap into a never before seen (or read) frankness and honesty with his subjects. His interview with Martin Luther King Jr. was the longest interview the reverend ever granted a publication.

These momentous pieces of journalism paved the way for his co-authoring of The Autobiography of Malcolm X in 1965, which sold over 6 million copies by 1977 and was ranked by Time Magazine as one of the top 10 most influential nonfiction books of the 20th century.

Haley then went on to write Roots: The Saga of an American Family in 1976 following many years researching his lineage. The impact of Roots on the American zeitgeist was enormous, eventually being published in over 37 languages, was developed into a hit miniseries, and won Haley a special Pulitzer Prize, forever cementing him as one of the greatest American writers and journalists of all time.

Further details on the items offered:

1. Two pages typed letters and notes pertaining to Alex Haley’s Uncle Tom article. One of these letters is from Gerald Walker at the New York Times Sunday Department dated December 20, 1963, thanking Haley for taking on the “Uncle Tom” profile, and providing thoughts on the article’s structure. The letter is typed with handwritten notes in green ink. Another letter, from Haley himself, is a note thanking The Reference Department in Akron Ohio for sending him newspaper clippings.

2. Six newspaper clippings in reference to Haley’s Uncle Tom article, including two envelopes. The newspaper clippings reference a woman who is suing the Cleveland Call & Post for calling her an “Uncle Tom,” the event which served as the impetus for the article. These clippings include handwritten notations by Haley in red and green ink.

3. A three page typed outline on the article with handwritten notes by Haley in green ink.

4. A sixteen page typed draft of “The Transformation of Uncle Tom” by Haley, which would go on to be published by The New York Times under the title “In ‘Uncle Tom’ Are Our Guilt And Hope” on March 1, 1964.

This is an online only sale. Items may be viewed upon appointment in New York City.

Notice to bidders: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in excellent condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or call Guernsey's at 212-794-2280 to request a more thorough condition report.