Lot 329

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Description:

Jack Kerouac 1944 TLS, "This should prove a rather difficult letter to write"

Jack Kerouac (1922-1969). Typed Letter Signed, "Jack", in pencil, 2pp, 8.5" x 11", Ozone Park, March 21, 1944. Notation from a previous collector in red ink at top right. On both sheets there is paper loss at top left corners and dampstaining at bottom right corners, neither of which affects text. Adhesive tape residue at right and left edges of both sheets verso. Flattened folds, toning and edge wear, in overall near fine condition.

A young Kerouac writes a lengthy letter to Ian MacDonald, his close friend from their hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts. Kerouac's letter has an emotional beginning: "This should prove a rather difficult letter to write. For the life of me, I fail to recall whether or not I have already mailed you a correspondence of a similar nature to this...I cannot understand why you do not answer my letters. I understand that yours is essentially a cool, aloof, Yankee nature. In the light of this, had I done anything to provoke the fragile shell of your discreetness, I would come to a realization of my status. I cannot recall any incident, act, or word that may have done this, however."

He then goes on to analyze the situation by suggesting that previous to their friendship, MacDonald "had few friends...and these few friends...included men of artistic and moral integrity - not to mention the aesthetic" and now his "association with Sebatian, Eddy, Connie, myself, and even Billy Ryan" may not measure up to "your severe standards...Please understand that I am not trying to be sarcastic. If, on the other hand, I have analyzed the situation fairly accurately, I would like to know. Otherwise, I shall feel that I have angered you in some way or another that I cannot fathom."

Kerouac then goes on to discuss his relationship with Edie Parker (1922-1993): "My relationship with Edie, I know, was a source of laughter for you...My problem with Edie...is no longer a problem. She is growing, she is a girl with a heart and with an admirable lack of hypocrisy, she is of good honest American stock...But there is no need to discuss her. In fact, my plans for the next six months do not include her, much to her anger..." It is obvious that Kerouac's plans changed, as he married Edie just five months after writing this letter!  

Kerouac speaks briefly about his latest work: "over which I am overly excited - about the novel "Galloway"...about my long poem in four parts, entitled "Supreme Reality"; and about a work I began quite recently, "Dear Brother", which is destined to become a 150,000-word letter to "my brother, whom I have created in the image of my spirit", but then circles back to the reason for MacDonald's lack of communication: "Most important in my mind, Ian, is to find out what's wrong...I haven't one friend in the world who is a fellow artist and to whom I can express myself...You were the only true teacher that I ever had, my friend."

Kerouac concludes with an invitation for MacDonald to come to New York and stay with him at his parents' home: "Try to come, Ian. And please write." An outstanding early example of Kerouac's vulnerability, written when he was just 22 years old. 

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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