1971 April 21

The collection consists of materials related to Eubie Blake (1887-1983), his wife Marion Blake (1896-1982), and their friend Geraldine “Gerry” E. Vondy (1928-2011). Eubie Blake and Vondy were both ragtime musicians and kept up a correspondence throughout several decades. The items of this collection are primarily letters between the Blakes and Vondy from 1960 to 1980. There is also a photograph of Eubie Blake taken by Vondy in 1974. Additionally, the collection includes empty letter envelopes addressed to Vondy from either of the Blakes.

The letters in this collection are all written by Eubie or Marion Blake to Vondy; there are no letters from Vondy back to them.

In his letters, Eubie Blake discusses various topics such as his performances at the Ragtime Bash in 1971; his concerts in Switzerland, Oslo, and Zurich; and his performance for President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1978. Additionally, he talks about the musical "EUBIE!" which opened on Broadway in 1978. He also spends considerable time talking about looking after Vondy's son Frederick Scott Vondy who was living in New York City during the early 1970s. In one of his letters, he includes a copy of some reviews featured in the June 1972 edition of the Stereo Review and High Fidelity entitled “EUBIE BLAKE MUSIC scores success with first effort!” Lastly,

Of note in this series, is an undated letter in which Eubie Blake briefly discusses the previous enslavement of his mother and father (located in folder 22).

Marion Blake's letters to Vondy discuss her travels with her husband, including a cruise on "Queen Elizabeth 2" and visits to St. Louis and Los Angeles. She also discusses attending Eubie’s concerts, such as the Ragtime Bash in 1971. Additionally, her letters discuss Eubie’s failing health in the late 1970s.