Correspondence and telegrams items dating from 1931 to 1975 (bulk 1931 to 1933) from the collection of American writer John M. Weatherwax. This collection provides an important historical detail on one of Diego Rivera’s lesser known projects.

The correspondence, involving many people, all of whom were participants in the projected publication of Mr. Weatherwax’s English translation of the Popol Vuh that would include water color paintings by the artist Diego Rivera. Present are four telegrams sent by Rivera from Mexico asking for more time to complete the pictures, and arranging logistics for their transfer and payment.

Correspondents include, in addition to Rivera and Weatherwax, the latter’s brother-in-law, composer Gerald Strang; New York agent Ruth D. Champenois; Ella Wolfe, one of the founders of the American Communist Party; Mexican vice-consul Jose Quinones, and others. Later documents here trace the five pictures that Weatherwax did end up receiving from Rivera: a 1960 appraisal of their value, with a follow-up letter to the appraiser, and two letters (1962 and 1975) to New York auction houses concerning their possible sale.