Jack Kerouac's Personally Owned & Used Clothes Pin Letter Holder, Retrieved from his Last Home
A home-made letter holder personally owned and used by Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), the famous mid-century American writer who brought us "On The Road" (1957). Provenance: The lot will be accompanied by an estate certification signed by John Shen-Sampas, executor of the Kerouac Estate by descent. 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.
The wooden letter holder, crudely fashioned out of a clothes pin, dowel, nail, and composite wooden base, measures 4" x 3.75" x 6" overall. Pencil inscribed in part "Mrs DV B--" along the edge of the base. One half of the clothes pin is currently detached but included; it can easily be reattached to the spring. Expected wear including light checking. Else very good.
Kerouac might have used this letter holder to store important pieces of mail from his publishers, fans, or one of his many Beatnik friends. Such organizational tools would have been useful to Kerouac, whose work space--as shown in this ca. 1962 copy of an original photograph by Robert Frank--shows it crammed with documents, notebooks, writing utensils, ash trays, and cocktail glasses.
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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