Description:

Jack Kerouac
[Garden City, NY], ca. 1960s
Jack Kerouac's Personal Copy of "A Christmas Carol," With Holiday Card Bookmark, Possibly From Naval Acquaintance
Book

A vintage softcover book, being Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" (Garden City, New York: Dolphin Books, Doubleday & Company, Inc., n.y. but ca. 1960s), personally owned by Beatnik writer Jack Kerouac (1922-1969). 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, on the half title page. Lacking a copyright date or retail price. Water stains on the front and back covers, as well as probable past exposure to moisture affecting the front and back loose endpapers. Expected wear including scattered wrinkles and light toning within, with a faintly musty odor. Else good to very good. 9-114pp. 4.125" x 7.125" x .375."

The book contains a surprising bonus tucked into pages 66-67: a holiday card imprinted with an anchor, signed as "Bill Kelley." There is a faint impression on pg. 86-87 corresponding exactly to the size of the card that suggests it once marked these pages, much closer to the end of the book. The Christmas card signer has not been identified, but perhaps there is a naval theme? Did Kerouac know him from his days as a young U.S. Merchant Marine or U.S. Naval Reserve mariner in the early 1940s?

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.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 4.125" x 7.125" x .375"
  • Medium: Book

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

February 18, 2026 10:00 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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