Lot 358

Jack Kerouac TLS on Moving to Queens, Where He Would Write "Maggie Cassidy" & "The Subterraneans"

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Jack Kerouac TLS on Moving to Queens, Where He Would Write "Maggie Cassidy" & "The Subterraneans"

Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000

Starting Bid: $1,000

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Jack Kerouac
Jamaica, NY, October 10, 1949
Jack Kerouac TLS on Moving to Queens, Where He Would Write "Maggie Cassidy" & "The Subterraneans"
TLS

A typed postcard from Jack Kerouac to his friend Edward White, in which he provides his new address in Queens and scolds White for not visiting. 1p, measuring 5.5" x 3.25", Jamaica, NY, postmarked October 10, 1949. Signed in pencil at conclusion as "Jack", with an additional holograph postscript of his new address: "94-21 134th St. Richmond Hill, N.Y." Within, he asks White to give his new address to their mutual friend Beverly Burford, relates a story about the author and art critic Eric Protter going to Kerouac's publisher "with his novel", and adds multiple queries. Exhibits light age toning and handling marks throughout. Minor corner bumping, with light crease present to bottom right corner below signature. Otherwise, very good.

In full:

"Dear Ed:-
I thought you were coming back from Baltimore before leaving for Denver. I called you that Monday afternoon you left, apparently just after you took off. On top of that you never did stay at my shack. This is by way of being a command for the next time. Write and let me know when you're coming back. Also, if you see Bev, tell her I've moved, and if she visits N.Y. to plan on seeing me. Where are you going to work? When are you returning to school? Do you know what Eric Protter did? He went to my company with his novel and said I had sent him. Where's Livornese, is he with you? I haven't seen him. What's going on around here? How's Justin? Where's Hal? What's the meaning of all this? Did you look up Emma Straj yet? I'm writing to Burford. I'm seeing Reva this week. Great! Till I see you."

1949 was an important year for Jack Kerouac, as he finally found a publisher for "The Town and the City" and even received an advance while already working on "On the Road". In August, Kerouac and his beloved mother moved from their famous apartment in Ozone Park to a nearby house in Richmond Hill. While there, Kerouac would mostly stay at the house where he had many important guests, and wrote "Maggie Cassidy" and "The Subterraneans" (both in 1953), until the family gave it up in 1955.

Justin and Hal can be identified with some certainty as the archaeologist Haldon Chase (1923-2006) and the teacher and lawyer Justin W. Brierly (1905-85), who is best known for discovering the young Neal Cassady. Tom Livornese was a lawyer and amateur jazz musician who had introduced Kerouac and White to the New York jazz scene. Burford was Beverly's older brother Bob (1924-2004) who, together with Eric Protter and Robert Lax, was an editor of the New Story magazine. His sister Beverly had briefly dated Edward White, and would be involved with Jack Kerouac in the spring of 1950. She served as the model for the character Babe Rawlins in "On the Road", while his lifelong friend White inspired characters such as Tim Gray ("On the Road"), Ed Gray ("Visions of Cody"), and Al Green ("Book of Cody").

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: 5.5" x 3.25"
  • Medium: TLS

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