Ishmael Reed (b. 1938), author
Doubleday (est. 1897), publisher
Reed’s third novel, Mumbo Jumbo, was a contender for the 1973 National Book Award in fiction at the same time his Conjure was nominated for poetry. Written in an aesthetic that Reed called Neo-HooDoism, Mumbo Jumbo presented extraordinary challenges to his editors and printers, as well as to the reader. The setting copy Reed returned in 1971 was accompanied by a special “style sheet” prepared for the printers, correspondence with correction notes, and explanations from Reed to his editor.
All items from the Ishmael Reed papers
- Mumbo Jumbo. Early typescript and carbon typescript drafts, with the author’s autograph corrections, undated
- Heavily-corrected typescript sent to the printer as the setting copy [1971]
- “Dear Compositors,” Ishmael Reed letters to the compositors and “Joan,” September 24 and December 26, 1971
- Mumbo Jumbo. This paste-up of text and illustrations on bluelines was produced to give the author and publisher a sense of the layout for the book. This stage was particularly important for Mumbo Jumbo since Reed has incorporated unique spelling and typography
- Mumbo Jumbo. This proof is stamped “Final Galley” and contains numerous autograph corrections, emendations and copy edits in several different hands
- Mumbo Jumbo. First edition. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday, 1972
- News clippings of publicity and reviews, 1970-1987
