Archive of Beauford Delaney letters and a group of paint brushes and pencils, 29 items total. 1st item: Letter from Beauford Delaney, Paris, France, to Samuel Emery Delaney, Knoxville, Tennessee, dated March 4, 1958. Composed shortly after the death of his mother Delia, Beauford writes "…your telegrams have brought me news that while you did your best to prepare me never the less it leaves me sort of numb. But I must learn to be a greater soldier for our dear mother was a great warrior and bore the burden long and very well…it is impossible for me to come home I will some-time the expense is extreme…it takes all I can possibly manage from day to day as yet painting brings reputation only, no finery. But I am always with you in spirit and the spirit is eternal our mother knows this and has taught it well to us. You have served almost as a father to Joe and I and now you are our most revered brother my love to the mortal remains of our dear mother… Peace and love to you all Beauford". Includes French envelope with three stamps. 2nd item: Letter from Beauford, Paris, France, to Samuel, Knoxville, Tennessee, dated September 30, 1963. He writes "Your good letter did my heart and spirit a great service, you are really a writer and think you always were, naturally you have so much to do that, perhaps instead of becoming a writer you have grown into a philosopher…My work comes along pretty good now and there are possibilities of it being shown in America but I must wait patiently and in Gods time every thing will happen…Again my love prayers and belief in the true reward of toil that is achieved thru faith and love – with such objectives we cannot fail. Also I am Very aware of the condition racial at home we have news of it daily here with photos etc. also many friends come frequently and relate. Also Television while I don't have it I see it in the houses of my friends, But again with intelligence faith and endurance and love we must win. The necessity is so immediate that we are continually recharged with duty greater than the fatigue and so forth. Hence we are forgetting lesser troubles and applying ourselves to greater needs. Love Beauford. P.S. Dr. Greene friend wrote.". Includes French envelope with four stamps. 3rd item: Letter from Beauford, Paris, France, to Samuel, Knoxville, Tennessee, dated January 20, 1971. He writes "[I] have been extremely preoccupied with painting…Paris is wintry but we manage because winter is one of the 4 seasons. When you write please let me have the news there in Tennessee. The souvenir of my brief visits lingers and stimulates my belief that all is well and comfortable there in your beautiful house…This has been a very active year in innumerable ways, however this is not unique to all of you. It seems that we Delaneys do work and that's stimulating…this has been the most active year of working with painting in my life…Please give my love to all the wonderful people who came to our house there in Knoxville and tell them I love them and miss them…God Bless all of you Love Beauford". Includes French envelope. 4th item: Partial letter from Beauford, Paris, France, presumably to Samuel, Knoxville, Tennessee, undated. He writes "Oh how I wish I had words adequate to express my concern and feeling my thankfulness at being spared to see these blessed days they are difficult but the promise warrants the drama and we must know we shall not fail there will be unity and the dawn of a new day in the world…Dear friends have brough [sic] me here to the middle of France where great Mts and blue lakes, house the charming children of the earth the farmers and peasant people. Its very old also and I live in an ancient Hotel near a beautiful old cathedral its another one of Gods blessings I try to understand and may get some spirit of life into my colors and work, God keep you all in his arms of love, love to you all Beauford". 5th-28th items: Group of twenty-one (21) used paint brushes and two (2) unsharpened pencils of various sizes and makers, including M. Grumbacher and Robert Simmons Signet. Items range in size from 7 1/4" L to 14" L. Note: The brushes and pencils include a note from Imogene, the niece of Beauford and Joseph Delaney, reading "Unknown – were in French pitcher From PP?" indicating that they might have belonged to Beauford. 6th item: Pencil on card stock drawing titled "Quatrieme Lecon Preliminaire" (fourth preliminary lesson). Depicts a group of two people labeled "2" holding up a sign reading "+" beside a group of two people labeled "2" holding up a sign reading "=" before a group of four people labeled "4", above the numbers 1-12 with their French equivalents and other mathematical notations written in French. Unsigned but presumably created by Beauford to assist in improving his French during his stay in Paris, France. 14 1/8" H x 8 5/8" W. 29th item: Holiday card from Dolly and Albert Hirschfeld, New York, New York, to Ogust Delaney Stewart, Knoxville, Tennessee, dated December 12, 1988. The card reads "Happy Holidays! Beauford will be with us in spirit and your pictures will find a safe haven in this house. Our best wishes to you until we meet again. Yours, Dolly and Al Hirschfeld. Includes a page from the New York Times, dated Sunday, December 11, 1988, that features an advertisement for the exhibition "Beauford Delaney [1901-1979] From Tennessee to Paris Through December 22, 1988" held at the Philippe Briet Gallery, New York, New York. Includes envelope with Samuel P. Langley stamp. Note: "Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003) was a well-known caracaturist and a friend of Beauford. Little detail is available about their relationship, but it is evident that Hirschfeld (and his wife, Dolly) were very fond of Beauford and supportive of him as well. Beauford met Hirschfeld in New York, when Beauford was working as a doorman at the Whitney Studio Galleries (which would become the Whitney Museum). They became friends, and Beauford would go on to sketch Hirschfeld and paint his portrait. Hirschfeld was a part of Beauford's life during the "New York Years," socializing with him and introducing him to people who would become Beauford's patrons and friends as well. He and his wife would also visit Beauford several times in Paris. Hirschfeld, Don Freeman, and other friends helped Beauford through a period of depression that began at the end of 1941. Hirschfeld contributed funds for the ticket that Beauford purchased to sail to France in 1953 and arranged for Beauford to meet people in the art gallery world once he arrived in Paris. He introduced Beauford to Sergei Radamsky, a singer and music teacher with whom Beauford would travel through Europe in 1954. When Beauford needed medical care after his suicide attempt in 1961, Hirschfeld was among the many friends that sent money to settle Beauford's hospital bill". (Source: lesamisdebeauforddelaney.blogspot.com). CONDITION: 1st-4th items: Letters in slightly worn condition due to age but highly legible. Beauford signatures in excellent condition. 5th-28th items: Items in used condition. 29th item: Toning, interior of card from folded newspaper page.