The relationship between Gordon Parks and Malcolm X was based on mutual respect. Parks, a staff photo-journalist with Life Magazine (1948-1969), had written the first mainstream press article on the Nation of Islam, which appeared in Life magazine. In an interview with Parks on Friday the 19th of February, 1965, Malcolm was both regretful about his earlier fulminations about "white devils," and fearful about being the target of Elijah Muhammad's wrath. Parks asked him, "Is it true that the Black Muslims are out to get you?" "It's as true as our standing here. They've tried twice in the last two weeks," Malcolm replied. Two days later he was shot to death at the Amsterdam Ballroom in N.Y.C.

The postcards chronicle his trip to Africa, the Hadj, his experience at the OAU conference in Cairo, and his return to the U.S. In one, sent from Jeddah: "Allah has blessed me to be the State Guest of Prince Feisal. I have made my pilgrimage to Mecca, and Allah willing I shall visit Medina in a few days. Never have I witnessed such true hospitality and brotherhood as is practiced here in this ancient Holy Land. El Haj Malik el Shabazz (Malcolm X)." In another, from Kenya: "Greetings from the home of those great African patriots, the Mau Mau. Freedom Fighters. Brother Malcolm X."
Gordon Parks was godfather to Malcolm's daughter Qubilah Shabazz, who wrote frequently to "Uncle Gordon." There are three letters, a short postcard with a photograph attached, and a long postcard from Quibilah to Parks, all sent 1971-1980.
The additional material includes a carbon copy of Parks's article on Malcolm X that appeared in Life Magazine following Malcolm's death, some newspaper clippings, and a Life Magazine article "Daughters of the Revolution."
All of this material is offered, as it was kept, folded into a paperback copy of the Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley.