Lot 150

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Jack Kerouac's Embossed Death Certificate, Estate Owned

Two vintage photostatic copies of Certificates of Death, each embossed, the first belonging to Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), the famous American writer who brought us "On The Road"; and the second belonging to his mother, Gabrielle-Ange Lévesque Kerouac (1895-1973). Each document has been embossed with the seal of "Pinellas County Health Board / Pinellas County Florida" at lower left. In addition, the documents were certified as true and correct copies of original documents when they were retrieved between 1971-1973. Each is stamped verso with the Jack Kerouac Estate stamp. Expected wear including paper folds. Else near fine. Jack's death certificate measures 7.25" x 9".

Kerouac expired at 5:15 am on October 21, 1969. The death certificate listed three causes which contributed to his premature death at the age of 47. The immediate cause was attributed to "Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage" due to "Bleeding Gastric Varix from Cirrhosis of Liver", both episodes of which lasted approximately 15 hours, and which were the results of "many years[']" worth of "Excessive Ethanol Intake". His "Usual Occupation" is listed as an "Author"; his "Kind of Business or Industry" is defined as "Fiction". Kerouac's remains were slated for removal to Lowell, Massachusetts's Edson's Cemetery, where his grave site can still be visited today.

Kerouac's mother, whom he called Memere, died at the same hospital, St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, nearly four years later, on October 12, 1973. Her fatal stoke in 1973 followed a debilitating stroke which had left her partly paralyzed in 1966. Stella Kerouac (1918-2000), Jack's third wife, is listed as the "informant", or next of kin, on both death certificates: on Jack's as "Mrs. Stella Kerouac" and on Gabrielle's as "Mrs. John L. Kerouac".

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!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide 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 who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, 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, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

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 Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. 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 5 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 Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

June 24, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 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