Kerouac, Jack (1922-1969) Typed Letter, with Manuscript Additions, [18 February 1940.]

Lot 44

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Marlborough, MA 01752
United States

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Fine Books & Manuscripts by Bonhams Skinner

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Fine Books & Manuscripts

By Bonhams Skinner

Nov 16, 2014 - Nov 17, 2014

Set Reminder 2014-11-16 10:00:00 2014-11-17 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Books & Manuscripts https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/skinner/fine-books-manuscripts-301 Bonhams Skinner bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

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Lot Description

Kerouac, Jack (1922-1969) Typed Letter, with Manuscript Additions, [18 February 1940.]
Two sheets, single-spaced typing on all four sides. To George J. Apostolos, written from Kerouac's time at the Horace Mann School in New York, with descriptions of a recent blizzard, and social exploits; with additions in pencil at head, foot, and intertextually, on marigold yellow paper, 8 1/2 x 7 5/8 in.
This letter was composed just after the Valentine's Day blizzard that hit New England on February 14, 1940. In it, Kerouac describes his social interactions with wealthy school classmates from Horace Mann School, including seeing a friend's beautiful younger sister, with whom he is quite smitten. Kerouac also mentions seeing Glenn Miller at the Hotel Penn. On a literary note, an anecdote that may have grown into a story from Kerouac's Vanity of Duluoz also appears here. "About the snow storm. It was raging outside with a 70-mile gale. I decided to get a taste of the Lowell trips I used to make through the fields during big blizzards. I dressed up well and ventured out. I went down by the docks and listened to the ships in distress on the bay and on the East River. Later, I stopped into a waterfront bar for a stomach-warming beer. Here I studied various characters. Then I went out and went on the Brooklyn Bridge. There I stood alone, with the gale full in my face, the only man on the Bridge on that night. Once in a while, a blast would almost blow me over, but I resolved to conquer the fear I had for a while. I did conquer it, for I could stand there and laugh out loud after a while. I don't know why I did it, but I do know that it was the first adventurous experience I've had in a long time."
Estimate $3,000-5,000

To download a pdf file of all of the Kerouac letters, lots 44 through 50 inclusive, cut and paste the following link into your web browser: assets.skinnerinc.com/documents/2764B_Kerouac_Letters.pdf

The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
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