Letter from Ismail Merchant, New York, New York, to Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Delhi, India, 1967 May 22 : autograph manuscript signed.

Assuring her that he has been meaning to write for a long time, but something has always delayed him, but now he will complete an aerogramme letter in one sitting; musing on the death of Ivory's father-- "He was a solid, wonderful man-- he will always live for me"; commenting that "Jim has taken [his father's death] very bravely"; expressing the hope that they will be able to begin shooting "Vertical and Horizontal" soon, when Ivory and Lillian Ross have completed the script; comparing Paramount to a government agency in that "files and papers are replaced by men of indecision and no taste"; telling her he has sent the "Shakespeare Wallah" sequel outline to Walter Reade in London, who are willing to finance it for £50,000; admitting he is not as engaged with the Ustad film [later "The Guru"] for now, but he will be when the time comes-- for now it is "Esmond" that captures his fancy; asking her to come visit with Jhab; asking how Jhab is and whether he is taking care of himself; asking after Renana, Ava, and Poji.