Description:

Jack Kerouac
n.p., n.d.
Jack Kerouac's Beloved & Well-Used Christmas Records! From His Estate
Phonographic Records

Two vintage Christmas phonographic records personally owned by Beatnik writer Jack Kerouac (1922-1969). N.d., n.p. The 20th Century Fox De Luxe Two-Record Set (TCF 110-2) contains two Ultraphonic High Fidelity phonographic records, with a total 4 sides of 33 1/3 Play length. Contained within the original colorful cardboard record holder, with two paper sleeves, one of which is stamped with the Jack Kerouac Estate stamp and the raised blind seal from the Executor of the Estate, John Sampas, Kerouac's brother-in-law. The original retail price of $7.98 is pencil-inscribed along the top edge verso. Expected wear to the record holder including scattered wrinkles, edge splits, loss, stains, and blunted corners. The record sleeves are wrinkled and unevenly toned. Isolated surface scratches and scuffs to the actual records testifying to occasional use, but the colorful record labels are intact, 11.875" diameter. The record holder measures approximately 12.375" square x .375."

Jack Kerouac's love for the Christmas holiday is well-documented in his writing. Kerouac published a tribute to Christmas in the December 1961 issue of "Glamour" Magazine. "Home at Christmas" described the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations experienced by the boy Kerouac at his family's Lowell, Massachusetts home. Another Christmas piece, "Not Long Ago Joy Abounded At Christmas," was published in the December 5, 1957 issue of the "World Telegram and Sun." In this essay, Kerouac contended that 1950s Christmases did not exhibit the same "naïve and joyous innocence" of the 1930s Christmases of his childhood. Kerouac shares warm and vivid recollections of the Catholic French-Canadian Christmases which he and his family used to celebrate: venturing out into the snowy night for midnight mass, serenaded by Bach and Handel choral music once the church doors opened. Christmas was a touchstone holiday for Kerouac, who would make sure to return home from wherever he was currently wandering.

The De Luxe two-record set contains:

1. "Sing We Now Of Christmas: The Harry Simeone Chorale With Brass Choir and Orchestra." One side of each record, side 1 and side 2, containing a total of 31 Christmas carols including (5): "Joy To The World"; (14): "Deck The Halls"; (19): "The Little Drummer Boy"; (29): "Silent Night," and many others.

2. "Merry Christmas Carols, Organ and Chimes Original Grand Wurlitzer Pipe Organ of Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center." One side of each record, side 3 and side 4, containing a total of 18 songs such as (6): "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"; (12): "O Christmas Tree"; and (14): "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: record holder: 12.375" square x .375"
  • Medium: Phonographic Records

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January 7, 2026 10:00 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000