Description:

Jack Kerouac
[New York, NY], ca. 1968
Jack Kerouac's Personal Copy of Robert Montgomery's "Open Letter From A Television Viewer" From His Estate
Book

A vintage softcover copy of Robert Montgomery's critique of the 1960s television industry, personally owned by Beatnik writer Jack Kerouac (1922-1969). Robert Montgomery, "Open Letter From A Television Viewer" (New York: James A. Heineman, Inc., 1968.) Stated "First Printing 1968" on the copyright page, with the A Heineman Paperback H17 code and original retail price of $2.25 on the front cover. 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 front free endpaper. Expected wear including a long diagonal crease to the front cover and some surface discoloration to the back cover. Isolated wrinkles to the inner pages, else clean and bright within. 11-152pp. 5" x 7.75" x .5."

The free-thinking and intellectually curious Jack Kerouac would have probably agreed with much of what Robert Montgomery wrote in this book. Montgomery, the famous stage, radio, film, and television actor, wrote this as one of Heineman's Open Letter Series, which was intended to examine a specific issue and stimulate conversation about it. In the book, Montgomery warned of the dangers of continuing to foster the television culture then exploding in the late 1960s. Of especial concern to Montgomery were the mind-numbing anti-intellectual consequences of routine television-watching, and the erosion of civil liberties through the unchecked control exerted on American society by television networks.

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: 5" x 7.75" x .5"
  • Medium: Book

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