The correspondence was written in regard to Pickett's research for his book HISTORY OF ALABAMA AND INCIDENTALLY OF GEORGIA AND MISSISSIPPI FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES.
He is holding a lit cigarette. This image was taken for (but not used in) the photo spread, "'I Live Just Like I Can,'" which appeared on page 3 of The Southern Courier for July 29-30, 1967. The issue is available online (not on the ADAH website):...