Lot 225

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Description:

Jack London Archive Including Early Galley Proofs of "The Cruise of the Snark"

The lot consists of a brief autograph manuscript in the hand of American writer Jack London (1876-1916); a check signed by London; two buttons attributed to belong to London; and 32 pages of early galley proofs of London's travelogue "The Cruise of the Snark," published in 1911.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A fragment of newsprint inscribed by London in pencil as "Illustrations for / your book set." The left edge is unevenly torn, and there are two minor closed tears affecting the word "Illustrations." The note was evidently once pinned to a galley proof as there is a pin mark touching the "o" of "your."

2. An unnumbered check inscribed overall and signed by London as “Jack London” on the payee line. Issued from "The Bank of Hawaii, Ld. of Honolulu, T.H." on July 6, 1915 in the amount of $2.80 made payable to “Hawaiian Electric Co." Bearing the usual stamp and cancellation marks. In very good to near fine condition. Check measures 6.5" x 2.875."

3. Two buttons attributed to belong to London, the smaller brass-finished one reading "Brooks Bros.," .5" diameter.

4. 32 pages of early galley proofs corresponding to pages 182-245 of London's final 1st edition of "The Cruise of the Snark." The proofs show the book text printed side by side in actual publication size, and they incorporate the eventual layout of the illustrations. A book editor or publisher has written "London / Snark" on the backs of page 219 and 245. There is extensive damp-staining throughout: pages 186-193 are stuck together at the lower right corner, and pages 220-245 are stuck together along both the right and left edges. Scattered chipped edges and closed tears, and the bottom edge of page 182 is detached but included. Isolated discoloration and loss. Each page measures 12" x 9."

The portion of "The Cruise of the Snark" included here encompasses most of Chapter XI: "The Nature Man"; all of Chapter XII: "The High Seat of Abundance"; all of Chapter XIII: "Stone-Fishing of Bora Bora"; and most of Chapter XIV: "The Amateur Navigator." This excerpt also features over 20 printed illustrations, ranging from Illustration 59, "The Abbreviated Fish-net Shirt" through Illustration 81, "South Sea Island Beauties riding in the 'Snark's' Launch." This part of London's travelogue relates details about: a remarkable hermit named Ernest Darling; a memorable canoe ride captained by a fearless Polynesian named Tehei; and highlights of the travelers' experience in the Society Islands and Bora Bora.

In the spring of 1907, Jack London along with his wife Charmian (1871-1955) and a small crew, set out for a modern maritime adventure aboard the "Snark," their 45' long custom built sailboat. Over the next two years, the Londons would sail west and south across the Pacific Ocean, exploring Hawaii, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tahiti, Australia, and other tropical locales. London later recounted his travel experiences in a non-fiction illustrated account called "The Cruise of the Snark," published by The Macmillan Company in New York in 1911.

Jack London wrote dozens of poems, short stories, essays, and novels over a prolific career curtailed by chronic ill-health. With income generated from adventure classics like "Call of the Wild" (1903) and "White Fang" (1906), London was able to outfit the "Snark."

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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