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Lot #411
Jack London

London's plans for a seaworthy 'Roamer'

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Estimate: $500+
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Description

London's plans for a seaworthy 'Roamer'

TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, October 18, 1912. Letter to John A. Browne of the Vallejo Yacht Club, in full: "Heartiest thanks for your jolly letter of Oct. 12. I am writing you this hurried line from Oakland. And as usual, I am throwing myself upon your good nature and kindness. Could you see to having the Roamer hauled up on the ways as immediately as possible, and to getting some man to scrub her bottom, paint properly with copper paint, and paint her upper works and outside works. Also, I should like to have the man try to locate that leak. After that, my boy Nakata, assisted by the able cook, could arrive, bend sails, paint the inside of the cabin, etc., etc. Please let me know when the copper painting and calking is done, so that can dispatch to do his share of the work. How about giving the skiff a coat of paint at the same time the man you engage copper-paints the Roamer?" London adds a short postscript: "Please address me at 490-27th Street, Oakland." In very good to fine condition, with some light creasing and several intersecting folds. London bought an old 30-foot-long wooden boat named Isis for $175 in October 1910, renamed it Roamer, and kept it on the Napa River near the Vallejo Yacht Club, at which he soon attained membership. The next year, London began construction of his dream house on the Beauty Ranch near Glen Ellen. He made Beauty Ranch, now the Jack London State Park, his permanent home—and the Napa River and the Vallejo Yacht Club his home port.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #574 - Ended January 08, 2020





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