Description:

Kerouac Jack

Jack Kerouac's LAST Mailbox from His Florida Home, Estate Provenance

 

Jack Kerouac's Mailbox from his last address, 5169 10th Ave. N., in St. Petersburg, Florida. Official US Postal Box, "approved by the postmaster general" blind stamped on the flap. Stamped to the back with "Superior/ sheet metal/ wks. Co. inc./ indpls. Ind." 19" x 6.75", height to the top of the house number 5169 is 14.5". Slightly rubbed red lettering, with orange round reflector pieces. Excellent condition.

 

Provenance: The piece will be accompanied by an estate certification signed by John Shen-Sampas, executor of the Kerouac Estate. John Shen-Sampas is the son of John Sampas, who was the brother-in-law of Jack Kerouac, and the brother of Stella Kerouac, Jack's wife.

 

From approximately 1966 to 1969, Jack Kerouac lived with his mother, Gabrielle, and his wife, Stella, in a small block house in St. Petersburg. However; by then, Kerouac was discontent, and his body had taken a toll from years of drinking to excess. It had been his mother’s idea to move to Florida. She thought the mild weather might be good for her health. (Kerouac was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts.) Attempting to reconcile his Buddhist leanings with his overwhelming urge to drink and carouse, he spent many nights in the peaceful back yard, dragging a cot outside to sleep under the stars. Jack Kerouac reportedly deemed St. Petersburg, Florida, “a good place to come die” - a sentiment that was half sardonic, half prescient.

 

A steady stream of visitors began arriving at the small house, knocking on the door in the hopes of spending time with the reluctant face of the Beat Movement.  Stella and Gabrielle acted as gatekeepers – shooing away the college students hoping to entice Kerouac out of the house for a night on the town. 

 

His time in St. Petersburg is mentioned frequently throughout his body of work and he remains a beloved icon to many in the Sunshine City. For years, his name remained listed in the St. Petersburg phone book, where young literature lovers would look it up and giddily call the out-of-service phone number.

 

The mailbox offered here was his last mailbox, the mailbox to his St. Petersburg address. While Kerouac was alive, it would be packed full of fan letters, and the steady stream of letters did not end even after his death!

 

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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