Charles W. Chesnutt to William B. Pratt, 18 February 1921 Charles W. Chesnutt Stephanie P. Browner Kenneth M. Price Matt Cohen Transcription, encoding, and annotations Ballard, Chaun Anderson, Antje Weakly, Laura K. McMullen, Kevin Millhorn, Lauren Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln The New School 2024 The Charles W. Chesnutt Archive
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 Charles W. Chesnutt to William B. Pratt, 18 February 1921 February 18, 1921 Transcription derived from scan of microfilmed original. Western Reserve Historical Society Charles Waddell Chesnutt Papers MS 3370 1 1 Correspondence The Marrow of Tradition The Marrow of Tradition (film adaptation) The House Behind the Cedars The House Behind the Cedars (film adaptation) typed copy unsigned Chesnutt, Charles W. (Waddell) Cleveland, Ohio Pratt, William B. Boston, Massachusetts Kevin McMullenupdated pointer for one note (n.per00105) Lauren Millhornupdated images Kevin McMullenproofed Laura K. Weaklyreview Chaun Ballard transcribed, encoded Antje Andersonannotated; further corrections February 18, 1921.
Houghton Mifflin Company, 4 Park Street, Boston.
Attention Mr. W. B. Pratt, Manager Syndicate Bureau.
Dear Mr. Pratt:-

I have agreed with a Mr. Robert Levy of the Reol Productions Corporation, of New York City, upon the sale of the motion picture rights of "The Marrow of Tradition," for the sum of $500.00. The amount is no larger than that which Mr. Micheaux has promised to pay for the rights in "The House Behind the Cedars," but the terms are better, since Mr. Levy is to pay cash upon the execution of the contract.

I assumed that you would assent, and have written him conditioning the contract upon the statement being made in the advertising, and in the film itself, that the film is based on "The Marrow of Tradition" by Charles W. Chesnutt, by special arrangement with the publishers, Houghton Mifflin Company.

This concern has never yet produced a film, but has at least one picture made which it is going to bring out very soon. Like the Chicago concern, it aims to produce pictures featuring colored actors and appealing to motion picture houses especially for colored people, which are already somewhat numerous and increasing.

Of course while "The Marrow of Tradition" is out of print the advertising would be of no value to you as publishers, and would produce nothing for me in the way of royalties. However, the production of these films might produce a sufficient demand to justify the printing of at least another small edition of "The Marrow of Tradition," the publication of which was suspended, I was informed by your Mr. Greenough, because of war conditions, principally the cost of paper. I should like it very much if this should prove the case, since my books constitute a small body of literature, if I may call them such, which is in a sense unique.

When I have closed up with the Reol people, I will of course remit to you on the basis suggested with reference Page 2. to "The House Behind the Cedars," namely one-third of what I get.

Mr. Micheaux has not yet presented his contract for signature, but I will advise you when he does so and remit when he pays.

Your very truly, CWC/K