ALS, two pages, 9.25 x 6, postmarked September 4, 1903 (Oakland, California). Handwritten letter to author and journalist Russell Arden Bankson, in full: “First story I ever wrote was published in Overland Monthly, Jan. 1899, and is called ‘To the Man on Trail.’ First book ‘The Son of the Wolf,’ published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. I send you bibliography on next page.” On the second page, London has added a list of his publications next to their respective publisher, which includes his short story collections, “The Son of the Wolf – Houghton, Mifflin & Co.,” “The God of his Fathers – McClure, Phillips & Co.,” “The Children of the Frost – Macmillan Co.,” his novels, “The Cruise of the Dazzler – Century Co.,” “A Daughter of the Snows – Lippincott Co.,” “Kempton-Wace Letters,” and “Call of the Wild,” and his non-fiction work, “People of the Abyss.” London has added ditto marks next to the final three publications, identifying Macmillan as their respective publisher. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in London’s own hand.
Russell Arden Bankson (1889–1975) was a journalist who worked as city and assistant managing editor for the Spokane Daily Chronicle in Spokane, Washington. He was also the author of numerous short stories, articles, and books, mostly in the Western genre.
A quintessential letter from the 27-year-old author written one month after the release of his breakthrough novel, The Call of the Wild. After appearing in five installments in The Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1903, the work was sold to Macmillan and was quickly published in book format to great acclaim and popularity; the first printing of 10,000 copies sold out immediately. Named by Modern Library as one of the 100 greatest novels of the 20th century, The Call of the Wild is recognized as 'one of the first American novels to examine the quest of the pioneering individual who breaks away from the sheltered environment of civilization and is romantically compelled to find freedom in nature. In the early part of the century this was considered the American dream' (Parker, 16).
Holographic references made by London to his most famous work are exceedingly rare, with this beautifully penned example made all the more unique and desirable by London’s generous addition of his then full major bibliography. Mentions by London to his first story collection, Son of the Wolf (1900), to his first novel, The Cruise of the Dazzler (1902), or to The People of the Abyss (1903), his first-hand account of living in the slums of East End of London, are universally uncommon. An exciting opportunity to own a definitive Jack London letter from a most important literary period.
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