- Written by
- William Morris Agency, American, 1898 - 2009
- Signed by
- Wright, Richard, American, 1908 - 1960
- Basie, Count, American, 1904 - 1984
- Subject of
- Louis, Joe, American, 1914 - 1981
- Date
- 1941
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)
- Description
- A single-paged letter to Count Basie from Richard Wright with a contract concerning royalties and shared monies for the collaboration on the song "King Joe," about the boxer Joe Louis. The document is typed on white paper with a William Morris Agency letterhead. Across the top is printed [NEW YORK LONDON CHICAGO HOLLYWOOD] with two holes punched at center. At top center is the William Morris logo and address for the New York office. The letter is dated [November 14, 1941,] and is addressed to [Count Basie, New York, New York,] It is signed [Very truly yours,] with Richard Wright's signature at center right. At left below Wright's signature is Count Basie's signature with a header reading [AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED']. At bottom center is printed [CABLE: "WILLMORRIS" NEW YORK. "WILLHOLLY" HOLLYWOOD]. The reverse of the document is blank.
- Place made
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Documents and Manuscripts
- Type
- contracts
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paxton and Rachel Baker
- Object number
- 2014.3.20.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




