September 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, September 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2018
Very rare Malcolm X letter signed, with personal content to his wife, Betty Shabazz, about her pregnancy, less than three months after their wedding. Letter also contains an additional autograph note by Malcolm X, complimenting her for sounding like ''an understanding wife''. Dated 4 April 1958, Malcolm X writes from Los Angeles, where he was traveling on behalf of the Nation of Islam. In this rare letter, Malcolm X reacts to the news of him becoming a father for the very first time; based on the content, it appears that his wife may have been disappointed in his earlier reaction to the news, and here Malcolm X seeks to assure her. Letter reads in part,
''My Dear Wife: It was a pleasure to find your letter awaiting me here at the office this morning. ALLAH blessed us to come safely through three TORNADOES, one HAILSTORM, two THUNDERSTORMS, and a SNOWSTORM. We averaged a 'good pace' all the way, and arrived safely in record time...I was very happy to hear that you are going to be a Mother, be ALLAH willing. I was not surprised. My reaction was 'as it was' only because I didn't appreciate the timing you took to announce it to me. May ALLAH bless you with understanding so you will have peace of mind. Let me know when you need some more money, but spend AS LITTLE as possible, for it is costing me tremendously here to get things as they should be. The Messenger would consent to you visiting me, and would even provide the plane fare himself, but I am against it at this time. This does not mean that I don't love you, it rather means that I realize I have a job to do, know the circumstances and conditions under which I best work, and try to create such. As for your becoming a Mother, you couldn't give me better news...Be a FRIEND of everyone in the temple, and everyone in the temple will be a friend to you. May ALLAH bless you with Peace and Happiness...your husband [signed] Malcolm X''. He adds an additional autograph note, ''PS: In your letter you sounded like an understanding wife.''
Betty Shabazz would give birth to their first child, Attallah Shabazz, approximately seven months later. Letter measures 8.5'' x 11''. Dampstaining throughout, with some haloing to signature as a result, and tears in paper. Overall in fair to good condition with full legibility and content intact.
Very Personal Letter Signed by Malcolm X, With Additional Autograph Note, to His Wife Betty Just After They Married -- ''...I was very happy to hear that you are going to be a Mother...''
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