Beschreibung:

Title: Autograph Letter and 2 Typed Letters Signed by Jack London to John A. Browne Author: London, Jack - John A. Browne Place: Glen Ellen Publisher: Date: 1911-13 Description: 3 items: Typed letter dated April 11, 1911, 10 lines, doublespaced, on 1/2 sheet bond paper. Ink stamp of "Jack London, Glen Ellen, Sonoma Co. Cal." at top of page, signed in ink at bottom. * Autograph letter dated Oct. 29, 1912, 10 lines, on 1/2 sheet yellow notepaper, with "490 - 27th St., Oakland" address at upper right corner signed at bottom. * Typed letter dated September 26, 1913, 19 lines, doublespaced, on single sheet bond paper. Ink stamp of "Jack London, Glen Ellen, Sonoma Co. Cal." at top of page, signed in ink at bottom. Vallejo-born John A. Browne (1859-?) was one of the organizers, and second Commodore of the Vallejo Yacht Club, which London joined in 1910 and where he kept his sailboat "Roamer." Judge Browne (he was justice of the peace for Vallejo township from 1898-1921) and his family became friends of the Londons. This group of letters deals mainly with maintenance of the "Roamer" but with much personal information also shared, including Charmian's surgery subsequent to her miscarriage, and the burning of the Wolf House. The Oakland address from which the second letter was sent was the home London bought for his mother and his former wet-nurse and lifelong friend Virginia "Mammy Jennie" Prentiss. It was also the London's Oakland home-away-from-home. First letter: "My dear Browne, We've been away and just got home, to find your good letter and all bills, accounts, etc., with reference to the ROAMER repairs. I take my hat off to you in advance, and I know thoroughly well how deep my obligation is for all you have done in getting my boat in shape. I am sending Nakata, the Japanese boy, down to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, to prepare for our coming, and Mrs. London and I, with the cook, will follow on the afternoon train. Herewith is my check in your favor for $122.10, and I am returning you all the bills you sent. As we are rushing to get all our mail cleaned up before to-morrow, forgive this short letter. it can't half express my gratitude and appreciation. With many thanks, Sincerely yours, Jack London." * Second letter: "Dear Friend Browne:- Here's the check for $65.20, and along with it ten thousand thanks to you. Please leave steward dry sails when it rains. I'll see you shortly, as soon as Mrs. L gets out of hospital. Remember me to your wife & daughter. Jack London." * Third letter: "Dear Friend Commodore Browne:- Am planning to go off on a cruise with the Mate-Woman, about ten days from now. Hence, once again I throw myself upon your mercy and great graciousness. Can you get the man to haul the ROAMER up on the ways, and clean and copper-painting her bottom. Also, paint her skiff. I am wondering how much water was thrown on her deck by the Club House steward this past year. Are her decks tight? They were calked last year. Will they need to be calked again? Also, does her bottom need calking? Her bottom also was calked a year ago. Take a look at her, and use your own best judgement, and get the fellows to work on her as soon as possible. Just because you would not come up to see us on the ranch, the beautiful new house I have been building all these years, and was planning to show to you, burned down. Now you won't see that new house when you do come up; but you will see some perfectly dandy ruins. Also, I can show you a silo I have just built and filled with silage----no, silo is not a breed of hogs! Mending of sails, etc. Nakata will take charge of himself. Have you read my JOHN BARLEYCORN. If not, let me know, and I shall be only too glad to send you a copy. And how about the DUCK LAW for this winter? Is it really and truly so, that one can buy ducks only two weeks this winter? Sincerely yours, Jack London." Lot Amendments Condition: Typed letters with creases from folding, else fine; autograph lett