Finding aid for the Jack London papaers 0187

Finding aid prepared by Lisa Ebiner Gavit, Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
2014 May


Title: Jack London papers
Collection number: 0187
Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 2.17 Linear feet 5 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1876-1966
Abstract: The Jack London papers consists of correspondence, typescripts and manuscripts, financial records, pamphlets, photographs, and clippings created and collected by American author Jack London. Also included is a bibliographic card file created for a course on bibliography and research at USC in 1942.
creator: London, Charmian
creator: London, Jack, 1876-1916

Scope and Content

The Jack London papers consists of correspondence, typescripts and manuscripts, financial records, pamphlets, photographs, and clippings created and collected by American author Jack London. Also included is a bibliographic card file created for a course on bibliography and research at USC in 1942.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder# or item name], Jack London papers, Collection no. 0187, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Chambers, Robert W., (Robert William), 1865-1933 -- Correspondence
Churchill, Winston, 1871-1947 -- Correspondence
Johnson, Owen, 1878-1952 -- Correspondence
London String Quartet. -- Archives
London, Jack, 1876-1916 -- Archives
London, Jack, 1876-1916 -- Bibliography
London, Jack, 1876-1916 -- Correspondence
Osbourne, Lloyd, 1868-1947 -- Correspondence
Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950 -- Correspondence
Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968 -- Correspondence
Taylor, Harvey -- Correspondence
Wells, H.G., (Herbert George), 1866-1946 -- Correspondence
Authors, American--20th century--Archival resources
Clippings
Ephemera
Letters
Playbills
Short stories
Typescripts

 

Correspondence

Scope and Content

Correspondences to, from, and about London
Box 1, Folder 1

Jack London to Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1900 January 31

General Physical Description note: 4 pages; envelope included.

Scope and Contents note

Jack London offers the additional biographical information that Houghton, Mifflin & Co. had requested a few days earlier. Among the details that London recounts are his early life in California, his longest voyage at sea, and the death of his father. Above all, London emphasizes his love for reading, writing, and studying.
Box 1, Folder 2

Jack London to Hamlin Garland 1904 December 14

General Physical Description note: 1 page; handwritten.

Scope and Content

This is a short letter to Hamlin Garland in which Jack London asks how he can serve on the committee (it is unclear as to which committee he is referring) since he can't make the dinner.
Box 1, Folder 3

Jack London to Mr. Holt 1905 February 21

General Physical Description note: 2 pages; handwritten.

Scope and Content

In this letter, Jack London asks Mr. Holt to fill him in on the situation surrounding an article of London's which Holt published and which "sent National Civic Federation into fits."
Box 1, Folder 4

Jack London to the Editor of Seattle Post-Intelligencer 1906 August 2

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Jack London refutes the accusation made by the Editor about London's story, "The Unexpected," as having no basis in actual events. As proof, London quotes directly from the San Francisco Examiner to show that his story is, indeed, founded on the hanging of a man who committed a double-murder.
Box 1, Folder 5

Letters from Jack and Charmian London 1907 September

General Physical Description note: 5 pages

Scope and Content

In one letter, [Jack London?] expresses dissatisfaction at a figure named "Gene" and talks about him disparagingly. In contast, the "Greek" is addressed in a glorified way. This letter is also interesting because it discusses the author's [London's?] thoughts on Emerson. In the other letter, Charmian writes complaningly about Gene, who appears to evade his duties on the voyage. The letter reveals that Gene then quits, which Charmian takes as a good riddance.
Box 1, Folder 6

Jack London to the Editor of The Pacific Monthly 1909 July 31

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Jack London sends a list of the items he is sending to the Editor for consideration. The items include manuscripts ("The House of Pride" and "Koolau the Leper"), photographs, and photographic films. At the end, London instructs the editors- "whether you publish or not, for heaven's sake, take care of my films and prints."
Box 1, Folder 7

Jack London to Lute Pease 1909 November 28

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Jack London's brief letter to Lute Pease confirming the receipt of check for his story, "Koolau the Leper," and to request for additional copies of the Pacific Monthly.
Box 1, Folder 8

Jack London to Winston Churchill, Robert W. Chambers, Lloyd Osbourne, Owen Johnson, George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells 1913 March 23

General Physical Description note: 1 page; 2 copies.

Scope and Contents note

Jack London seeks to find out about the rates that these writers receive from English and American magazines, and English and American book publishers -- seemingly in an effort to compare their rates with the rates that London himself receives.
Box 1, Folder 9

Heinold to Jack London and Jack London to Dempsey 1913 March 25-1915 December 13

General Physical Description note: 2 handwritten pages and 1 page typed copy; handwritten postcard.

Scope and Contents note

Heinold writes in praise of London to "keep up the good work." Also in this folder is a letter to William A. Dempsey in which London recounts moments shared with Dempsey: "Remember? Hell! There's lots of things you & I can remember." There is also a typed copy of the handwritten letter to Dempsey.
Box 1, Folder 10

Robert W. Chambers to Jack London 1913 March 31

General Physical Description note: 1 page; handwritten.

Scope and Content

Chambers praises London's new serial, "John Barleycorn," and calls it a "masterly work."
Box 1, Folder 11

Jack London to [William Huntington] Wright 1913 May 09

General Physical Description note: 1 page; typed; includes London's handwritten meta-commentary.

Scope and Content

London deems his story "Samuel" (published in The Bookman magazine) as "one of the best stories [he has] ever written, but a failure from the magazine-sale standpoint." He tells Wright that he would much rather The Smart Set magazine had published "Samuel." The letter has an ironic tone, and London makes comments in handwriting to indicate the parts in which he is being ironic.
Box 1, Folder 12

Correspondence between Jack London and Churchill Williams 1913

General Physical Description note: 5 pages; 4 letters

Scope and Content

In the first letter, London justifies his "big money" contract with The Cosmopolitan, stating that "any writer doing free lance stuff is gambling all the time," and that "said big money assures ones [sic] total fiction output for as long a period as five years," thus guaranteeing the writer a safety net and allowing him or her to take vacations every once in a while. The other three letters contain references to Cosmopolitan, "John Barleycorn", and some of Jack's other works.
Box 1, Folder 13

Correspondence between Jack London and Don P. Blackwood 1914-1915

General Physical Description note: 5 pages; 5 letters

Scope and Contents note

This folder contains a couple notes beteween Jack London and his secretary, Jack Byrne. These notes as well as the letters between London and Don P. Blackwood, are regarding one of London's plays, "Theft".
Box 1, Folder 14

Correspondence between Jack London and Walter C. Jordan 1914-1915

General Physical Description note: 8 pages

Scope and Contents note

In the first letter Jack London expresses his disappointment that "John Barleycorn" would not be dramatized. He also says that he would be happy to sign a contract for the dramatization of "Burning Daylight", but he will only sign if someone actually plans to produce it rather than merely speculating. The other letters are also regarding the dramatic rights to several of Jack London's plays.
Box 1, Folder 15

Mr. T. Woddey(?) to Jack London 1915 February 12

General Physical Description note: 2 pages plus an envelope and a note on scratch paper

Scope and Content

Mr. Woddey expresses his desire to use "The Game" as a stage sketch, with his sister and him in the lead roles.
Box 1, Folder 16

Jack London to Max Ehrmann 1915 April 03

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

London tells Ehrmann that he has finished Ehrmann's "Jesus Passion" Play, and that London's novel, "The Star Rover," has similarities with the play.
Box 1, Folder 17

Douglas Murray(?) to Jack London 1915 April 26

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Letter from Douglas Murray asking Jack London whether he (Douglas Murray) can use the theme of "Just Meat" in a production.
Box 1, Folder 18

Jack London to Mary Z. 1915 August 18

General Physical Description note: 1 page; envelope included.

Scope and Contents note

London responds to Mary Z's interest and approval of "The Sea Wolf" and his other books, and states that his stories are authentic and based on true events.
Box 1, Folder 19

Correspondence between Jack London and Martin Johnson 1915

General Physical Description note: 4 pages, 3 letters

Scope and Content

Johnson complains about London's lack of notice on the employment of a new secretary to handle his financial matters. London replies in a caustic tone, and Johnson responds with disappointment that he has lost London's friendship.
Box 1, Folder 20

Correspondence between Jack London and J.T. Connor 1915

General Physical Description note: 2 pages, 2 letters

Scope and Content

Connor asks London to send him a list of the greatest factors that contribute to his literary success, and London responds with a fascinating list.
Box 1, Folder 21

Correspondence between Jack London and Mrs. R.C. Grosvenor 1915

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

Grosvenor asks if the horrifying facts in London's "The Jacket" have any connection to reality or not, and if they are a representation of California's current prison conditions. London replies that his book, "The Jacket," does not exaggerate the horrible prison conditions in California, and is in fact an authentic representation of California's prison system.
Box 1, Folder 22

Jack London to Max Ehrmann 1915 December 02

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

London confirms the authenticity of accounts concerning California's prison system in his book "Star Rover."
Box 1, Folder 23

William A. Dempsey to Jack London 1915 December 12

General Physical Description note: 1 handwritten page, and a typed copy which is 2 pages long.

Scope and Contents note

Letter relates London's reception as a writer.
Box 1, Folder 24

Correspondence between Jack London and Ednah Aiken 1916

General Physical Description note: 4 pages

Scope and Content

Correspondence between Jack London, Mrs. C.S. Aiken (Ednah Aiken), and Jack Byrne regarding permission to use one of London's short stories. London grants her permission.
Box 1, Folder 25

Jack London to "Comrades" 1916 March

General Physical Description note: 4 pages

Scope and Contents note

Included are two slightly different statements from London as he resigns from the Socialist Party. One letter reveals London's racist and imperialist tendencies. Also included is a letter from Jack Byrne to Mrs. R.C. Grosvenor, miscellaneous notes, and negatives of Jack's resignation from the Socialist Party.
Box 1, Folder 26

Edward B. Payne to "Comrades" 1916

General Physical Description note: 3 pages

Scope and Contents note

Payne's resignation from the Socialist Party. Letter enumerates his disagreements with the Party's doctrine of the Class Struggle and with the Party's defense of working class individuals who had been charged with crime. Also included in this folder is Jack London's resignation from the Socialist Party and a letter from London to the Editor of the New York Call.
Box 1, Folder 27

Correspondence between Jack Byrne and Hughes Massie & Co. 1916

General Physical Description note: 5 pages

Scope and Content

Notes and invoices regarding annual subscription fees to the Incorporated Society of Authors, Playwrights, & Composers.
Box 1, Folder 28

"An Old Lie Finally Nailed" 1916

General Physical Description note: Pamphlet; 10 copies. 2 pages of correspondence.

Scope and Content

Pamphlet correcting the "old lie" that the letter it contains was written by Jack London; the pamphlet also states that the letter has been misused to misrepresent the Army and Navy of the United States. Also included is a letter from Lieutenant James D. Wilson where Wilson refers to the book "Love of Life" and tells London that he now realizes why London is known as the leader in "red blood fiction." London's response is included.
Box 1, Folder 29

"Chicane"- a play put on by The Little Theatre: Society of Indiana 1916

General Physical Description note: 4 pages of correspondence, 1 page of a newspaper clipping, 1 page of scratch paper notes, and 1 theatre program.

Scope and Content

This folder contains the program of four one-act plays by The Little Theatre of Indiana presented at the John Herron Art Institute on April 15, 1916, including the play "Chicane," from a story by Jack London. Also included are several pieces of correspondence and a letter to the editor regarding the play.
Box 1, Folder 30

Correspondence between Jack Byrne and W.E. Dillon 1916

General Physical Description note: 3 pages

Scope and Content

Dillon asks about a scene in London's story, "Yah Yah Yah," in which the character sets off a dynamite. London then writes to Dillon in response to his question about the use of dynamite and a fuse.
Box 1, Folder 31

Jack London to Albert Mordell 1916 October 02

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

London shares his opinion on epics such as "The Odyssey," "Paradise Lost," etc.
Box 1, Folder 32

Jack London to A.P. Taylor 1916 October 24

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Letter regarding the publication of "My Hawaiian Aloha".
Box 1, Folder 33

"Unpublished Letters" to Ivan Swift 1909-1916

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Transcription of 4 letters to Ivan Swift. One is from Charmian London, one is from George Sterling, and two are from Jack London.
Box 1, Folder 36

Royalty statements from The Century Co. Publishers 1915-1916

General Physical Description note: 4 pages of Royalty Statements; 5 pages of correspondence re: Royalty Statements.

Scope and Content

Statements of royalties given to London for the re-print edition of "Smoke Bellew" and other works. The statements are dated from April 1, 1915 to March 31, 1916.
Box 1, Folder 37

Royalty statements (Curtis Brown of Massie, Curtis Brown, Hughes Massie & Co.) 1916

General Physical Description note: 20 pages of royalty statements/correspondence re: royalty statements.

Scope and Content

This folder contains royalty statements and correspondence between Jack London and Hughes Massie, and Co. Also included are magazine clippings which highlight Frederick Coleman's "From Mons to Ypres with French" and J. H. Morgan's "German Atrocities: an Official Investigation.
Box 1, Folder 38

Reports of sales--Doubleday Page & Co. 1916 February 1

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

Report of Sales on London's "The God of His Fathers" and "A Son of the Sun."
Box 1, Folder 39

Royalty statements--Galbraith & Welch Inc. 1916

General Physical Description note: 6 pages of Royalty Statements/ correspondence re: Royalty Statements.

Scope and Content

This folder contains royalty statements from Galbraith and Welch Inc.
Box 1, Folder 40

H. Hagerups Forlag to Jack London 1915 January 26

General Physical Description note: 1 page; envelope included.

Scope and Content

H. Hagerup's Forlag asks permission to publish future works of Jack London.
Box 1, Folder 41

Houghton Mifflin & Co. 1910-1916

General Physical Description note: 16 pages

Scope and Content

Statements and correspondence from Houghton Mifflin Company regarding payment for sales of Jack London's books.
Box 1, Folder 42

Macmillan Co., NY 1911

General Physical Description note: 4 pages

Scope and Content

Correspondence from the MacMillan Company regarding payments to Jack London.
Box 1, Folder 43

S. S. McClure Co.; McClure, Phillips & Co. 1901-1907

General Physical Description note: 14 pages

Scope and Content

Royalty statements from S.S. McClure Co. and McClure, Phillips & Co.
Box 1, Folder 44

Mills & Boon, Limited 1916 June 30

General Physical Description note: 24 pages

Scope and Content

Royalty statements from Mills & Boon, Limited, Publishers.
Box 1, Folder 45

James B. Pinker, London 1915-1916

General Physical Description note: 5 pages

Scope and Content

Royalty statements and correspondence from James B. Pinker, Literary and Dramatic Agent.
Box 1, Folder 46

A. P. Watt & Son 1915-1916

General Physical Description note: 3 pages

Scope and Content

Royalty statements and correspondence from A.P. Watt & Son, London.
Box 1, Folder 47

Miscellaneous correspondence 1900-1915

General Physical Description note: 11 pages

Scope and Content

Miscellaneous statements and notes.
Box 1, Folder 48

Memorandum of agreement for "A Son of the Sun" (Doubleday, Page & Co., London) 1911 October 27

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Memorandum of Agreement from Doubleday, Page & Co. for "A Son of the Sun".
Box 2, Folder 41

Jack Byrne to G. Wiesenberger 1915 November 12

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Contents note

re: "The Tie That Binds
Box 3, Folder 20

Jack London to Charles Warren Stoddard 1902 August 29

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

In this letter, Jack London encourages Charles Warren Stoddard to live in California- "It's God's country I think."
Box 3, Folder 21

"The Letters of Western Authors" 1935

Scope and Content

A December 1935 publication of The Book Club of California, this folder includes a reproduction of a letter from Jack London to Cloudesley Johns.
Box 3, Folder 22

Charmian London to Woman's Socialist Society 1907 September 28

General Physical Description note: 3 pages

Scope and Content

Letter to the Woman's Socialist Society in Oakland, California explaining the situation in Hawaii with regards to how many socialists live there and how active they are.
Box 3, Folder 23

Postcard from Harley R. Wiley 1908 May 30

Scope and Contents note

Pictured on the front of this postcard is the lodge where Jack London wrote "Before Adam" and "The Iron Heel".
Box 3, Folder 24

Lucius E. Pinkham to Charmian London 1916 November 23

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Contents note

Letter from Lucius Pinkham, Governor of Hawaii, expressing his sympathies to Charmian London on the passing of her husband Jack.
Box 3, Folder 25

N. Howell Arnold to Charmian London 1916 November 30

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

Mrs. N. Howell Arnold writes to Charmian London expressing her condolences about the passing of Jack, and mentioning a poem which she (Howell) wrote which could be read at the memorial service. The poem, titled "The Valley of the Moon" is also included.
Box 3, Folder 26

James Hopper to Charmian London 1916 November 04

General Physical Description note: 1 page
Box 3, Folder 27

Grover C. McGinsly(?) to Charmian London 1916 December 29

General Physical Description note: 4 pages

Scope and Contents note

Letter expresses sympathy to Charmian London and includes a tribute poem to Jack London.
Box 3, Folder 28

Harvey Taylor to Charmian London 1930 December 16

General Physical Description note: 17 pages

Scope and Contents note

Letter to Charmian London asking 63 questions relating to Jack London and his books. Charmian London answered some of the questions in pencil on the letter.
Box 3, Folder 29

H.E. Marle(?) to Harvey Taylor 1931 March 12

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Letter from H.E. Marle, editor of Doubleday, Doran & Company to Harvey Taylor regarding a Frank Norris bibliography.
Box 3, Folder 30

Albert Mordell to Harvey Taylor 1931

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

Two letters to Harvey Taylor, one of which asks him to clear up the question of whether London committed suicide.
Box 3, Folder 31

E. Ryerson Young to Harvey Taylor 1931 August 03

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Letter from E. Ryerson Young pointing out that Jack London had borrowed heavily from one of Egerton Young's books for "The Call of the Wild", dropping hints that Mr. Young's widow would appreciate some compensation from Jack London.
Box 3, Folder 32

Max Ehrmann to Harvey Taylor 1931

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

2 letters to Harvey Taylor which seem to be responding to Taylor's request for letters from Jack London.
Box 3, Folder 33

Ivan Swift to Harvey Taylor 1910-1928

General Physical Description note: 1 envelope with a letter inside, 1 postcard, 1 photo, and 6 other pages

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence and notes regarding "Fagots of Cedar" by Ivan Swift. Also included is a 1910 photograph of Ivan Swift.
Box 3, Folder 34

Georgia L. Bamford to Harvey Taylor 1932 January 23

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

Letter includes envelope as well as an order card for "The Mystery of Jack London" by Georgia Loring Bamford.
Box 3, Folder 35

Upton Sinclair to R.W. Francis 1932 September 21

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Contents note

This brief letter mentions the suicide of London.
Box 3, Folder 36

Richard P. Kerr to Jacob Blanck 1955 November

General Physical Description note: 6 pages

Scope and Content

This letter from The Old Crow Distillery Company, asserts that Martin Eden was a real person, and not solely a fictional character in one of Jack London's books. Includes copies of articles on Martin Eden, as well as a copy of his death certificate. Also included is a letter from Jacob Blanck to Lloyd A. Arvidson regarding the donation of a few pages to USC's Jack London collection.
Box 3, Folder 37

George H. Tweney to Lloyd A. Arvidson (USC Librarian) 1966

General Physical Description note: 3 pages

Scope and Content

These two letters refer to a commemorative gathering being held in Seattle for the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Jack London.
 

Typescripts/ Manuscripts

Box 1, Folder 34

Jack London Notes undated

General Physical Description note: 1 page (typed copy); 15 pages of original notes on scratch paper.

Scope and Content

Handwritten notes on "(Great) Short Story"
Box 1, Folder 35

"The Assassination Bureau" undated

General Physical Description note: 92 pages typed draft; 6 pages of notes

Scope and Content

1st typed draft and notes of "The Assassination Bureau" (novel fragment), with autograph corrections by London and George Sterling.
Box 1, Folder 49

"Farthest Distant" typescript and notes undated

General Physical Description note: 21 pages of notes/typescripts/newspaper clippings

Scope and Content

In addition to "Farthest Distant", this folder contains the typescript and notes for "Tropical Sunset at Sea" as well as some notes and newspaper clippings on Socialist lectures.
Box 1, Folder 50

"Jack Liverpool" undated

General Physical Description note: 5 pages

Scope and Content

This folder contains the typescript and some notes for "Jack Liverpool".
Box 1, Folder 51

"Principles of the Republican Party" undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages and an envelope

Scope and Content

This essay, written for a literary contest in Oakland, has a note at the top saying it won second prize. The essay discusses the positive and negative aspects of the Republican Party.
Box 1, Folder 52

"The Birth Mark" undated

General Physical Description note: 26 pages

Scope and Content

This typescript is labeled as a "Sketch by Jack London written for Robert and Julia Fitzsimmons".
Box 1, Folder 53

"Burning Daylight" undated

General Physical Description note: The lengthy manuscript is fastened together in a folder.

Scope and Content

A comedy in four acts; preliminary draft.
Box 1, Folder 54

"Burning Daylight" undated

General Physical Description note: The lengthy typescript is fastened together in a folder.

Scope and Content

A play in four acts; working draft.
Box 3, Folder 40

"The Common Man" 1909

Scope and Content

A play in four acts, by Jack London and Walter H. Nichols; carbon copy transcript. The play is based upon Jack London's story, "South of the Slot," published as the leading feature of "The Saturday Evening Post", May 22, 1909.
Box 2, Folder 1

"The Damascus Road" 1913

General Physical Description note: 102 pages; carbon copy typescript

Scope and Content

A play in three acts by London and Walter H. Nichols (unpublished).The play was suggested by Jack London's story of old San Francisco, before the earthquake and the fire, published originally in "The Saturday Evening Post" under the title "South of the Slot".
Box 2, Folder 2

"Even Unto Death" undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages original typescript; printed tearsheets included. Tearsheets contain a few illustrations.

Scope and Content

This is an 1800 word short story.
Box 2, Folder 3

Notes on projected pieces of literature undated

General Physical Description note: 13 pages original typescript; 13 pages photocopies of typescript.

Scope and Content

Projected pieces include "Mercy of the Sea," Smoke of Life," "The Pearl Man. Maybe The Sun-God," "Barbarian" (?), "A Study of Marriage, in Two Parts," "Autobiography," "A Clean Steal," "Man Who Was," "Ecuador," "A Tyro's View on Tipping," and a novel on Christ.
Box 2, Folder 4

"Hearts of Three" 1915 December 14

General Physical Description note: 15 pages carbon typescript of "Hearts of Three" by London and Charles W. Goddard (with autograph and revisions by London); tearsheets of intoduction, "Drama Comes Back from the Movies." Also includes a 6-page letter from Goddard to London (in pencil)

Scope and Content

Included in this folder is the carbon copy typescript of "Hearts of Three", as well as some handwritten notes and an article by Alfred Kuttner. The Introduction to "Hearts of Three" was taken from Kuttner's article, "Drama Comes Back from the Movies".
Box 2, Folder 5

"In the Time of Prince Charley" undated

General Physical Description note: 22 pages

Scope and Content

This is a short story of 3600 words.
Box 2, Folder 6

"Jack London" undated

General Physical Description note: 2 pages original typescript

Scope and Content

London's autobiographical sketch
Box 2, Folder 7

"Jack London in Boston" undated

General Physical Description note: 6-page original typescript

Scope and Content

Autobiographical sketch of 2050 words.
Box 2, Folder 8

"Boat Article: Futile Adventures" & "Adventure--Failures" undated

General Physical Description note: Notes and original typescript drafts, 3 pages.
Box 2, Folder 9

"The Plague Ship" undated

General Physical Description note: 9 pages

Scope and Content

Original typescript of the short story with a small number of hand-written corrections.
Box 2, Folder 10

"The 'Road'--Glimpses of an Underworld" undated

General Physical Description note: 12 pages

Scope and Content

Original typescript of the short story, which is about 4000 words long and includes handwritten corrections.
Box 2, Folder 11

"The Run Across: A Prose Sea-Idyl" undated

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

Original typescript of the short story.
Box 2, Folder 12

"San Juan de Ulua" undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages

Scope and Content

Original typescript of the short story, along with some notes on Spanish names.
Box 2, Folder 13

"Scorn of Women" undated

Scope and Content

Original typescript of a play in three acts by Jack London; approximately 28,678 words.
Box 2, Folder 14

"The Socialist's Dream" 1897

General Physical Description note: 2 pages, and envelope, and a note on scratch paper.

Scope and Content

Original typescript of a poem by Jack London; also included in this folder is the envelope which the poem came in as well as a note mentioning that before this 1897 manuscript the earliest known London manuscript is from 1904.
Box 2, Folder 15

"Strikes" 1909 January 11

General Physical Description note: 5 pages

Scope and Content

This is an original typescript of an essay by London on capitalism in Australia and in the United States.
Box 2, Folder 16

"Wanted: A New Law of Development" undated

General Physical Description note: 20 pages

Scope and Content

Original typescript of an approximately 6,300 word commentary on evolution, politics, and society.
Box 2, Folder 17

Misc. notes undated

General Physical Description note: 12 pages

Scope and Content

Notes on ideas for various novels and stories.
Box 2, Folder 18

"A Wicked Woman" undated

Scope and Content

This folder contains the original typescript and a copy of this play by Jack London.
Box 2, Folder 19

"Who Believes in Ghosts?" undated

General Physical Description note: 6 pages

Scope and Content

Original typescript of a short story about ghosts.
Box 2, Folder 20

"The Yankee Myth" 1909 January 29

General Physical Description note: 12 pages

Scope and Content

Original typescript and two copies of an essay London wrote about speech patterns, dialects, and how to characterize "the American."
Box 2, Folder 21

Essay on how to begin a successful newspaper undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages

Scope and Content

Two copies of an essay on how to make a fortune by starting a newspaper which caters to the working class.
Box 2, Folder 22

Essay on the government's role in caring for homeless children undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages

Scope and Content

Two copies of an essay comparing how New South Wales takes care of "homeless boys" vs. how California takes care of these boys. London concludes that New South Wales does a much better job of it while spending less money, yet he is still critical of the Capitalist system in New South Wales.
Box 2, Folder 23

Untitled short story 1904 March 13

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

This brief story relating an experience with an American missionary in Korea may be non-fiction.
Box 2, Folder 24

Introduction to "Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist" 1912 February 19

General Physical Description note: 6 pages

Scope and Content

This folder contains an unpublished introduction to "Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist" by Alexander Berkman. Because his introduction was not sympathetic to Berkman as an anarchist, London's introduction was never published.
Box 2, Folder 26

"Jack London, Rancher" by E.S. Goodhue undated

General Physical Description note: 4 pages

Scope and Content

Description of a piece of land bought by Jack London in northern California.
Box 2, Folder 27

"Jack London, Kamaaina" 1917 September 1

General Physical Description note: 60 pages

Scope and Content

Pages 231- 291 of a manuscript, which looks to be about Jack London. The first few pages discuss how his death affected his community of fans and friends in Hawaii.
Box 2, Folder 40

"The Tie that Binds" 1915 November 12

General Physical Description note: 5 pages

Scope and Content

Character list and synopsis of "The Tie That Binds", a work by G. Wiesenberger. Also included is a letter from Jack London's secretary to G. Wiesenberger expressing his apologies that Mr. London cannot take up this work due to other contracts with his publishers.
Box 3, Folder 12

Jack London bibliography in Bulgarian 1961 March 28

General Physical Description note: 16 pages
Box 3, Folder 15

Preface to "The Iron Heel" French edition undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages

Scope and Content

This folder contains a carbon copy of the original preface in French, written by Anatole France, as well as 2 English translations.
Box 3, Folder 18

"The Dice-Box of the Gods" undated

General Physical Description note: 17 pages

Scope and Content

This manuscript was written by James Ralington.
 

Accounting (Publishers and Agents Correspondence/Accounts/Business-related)

Box 2, Folder 29

Cancelled checks 1916

General Physical Description note: 2 checks
Box 2, Folder 33

Certificate of Discharge of Sea-men 1908 May 11

General Physical Description note: 1 page

Scope and Content

Certificate of Discharge- E.A. Leger from the yacht "Shark"of San Francisco.
 

Magazine Excerpts of London's Works

Box 3, Folder 1

Magazine excerpts...1 1902-1909

General Physical Description note: 9 excerpts

Scope and Content

Includes excerpts of "To Build a Fire", "The Voyage of the Snark", "Trust", "All Gold Canon", "The House of Mapuhi", "The Game", "Just Meat", and "My Life in the Underworld".
Box 3, Folder 2

Magazine excerpts...2 1902-1928

General Physical Description note: 10 excerpts

Scope and Content

Includes stories/ articles such as "Language of the Tribe", "Up the Slide", "An Adventure in the Upper Sea", "The Salt of the Earth", "The Stone Fishing of Bora Bora", "A Thousand Deaths", "If Japan Wakens China", and "Eight Factors of Literary Success".
Box 3, Folder 3

Magazine excerpts...3 1896-1914

General Physical Description note: 10 excerpts
 

Essays by and about London

Box 3, Folder 41

Biographical notes of Harvey Taylor 1916-1931

General Physical Description note: 6 items

Scope and Content

Includes notes, a newspaper clipping, and writings not published in book form.
Box 3, Folder 6

Biography of Jack London undated

General Physical Description note: 1 page
Box 3, Folder 7

Autobiography of Jack London undated

General Physical Description note: 10 pages

Scope and Content

This fascinating autobiography begins with "I was born in San Francisco in 1876. At fifteen I was a man among men, and if I had a spare nickel I spent it on beer instead of candy, because I thought it was more manly to buy beer..."
Box 3, Folder 8

Biography of Jack London 1904 May 11

General Physical Description note: Original and copy, each 3 pages long
Box 3, Folder 11

"Jack London; Myth or Reality" undated

General Physical Description note: 7 pages

Scope and Content

Short biography of Jack London
Box 3, Folder 13

"Jack London: An Appreciation" undated

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

Poem by Berton Braley
Box 3, Folder 14

"Jack London, The Poet of the Laboring Classes" undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages

Scope and Content

Written by Einar Christiansen, this is a short reflection on the life and works of Jack London.
Box 3, Folder 16

"Jack London, Preacher" 1914 April 1

General Physical Description note: 3 pages

Scope and Content

This essay by E.S. Goodhue appeared in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Box 3, Folder 17

Excerpt of an Interview with Jack London 1913 June

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

By Emanuel Julius, this essay appeared in "Western Comrade".
Box 3, Folder 19

"An American Novelist of Action- Jack London" undated

General Physical Description note: 7 pages

Scope and Content

Originally written in French and translated into English, this is a short biography of Jack London's life, written by Firmin Roz.
 

Pamphlets

Box 2, Folder 28

"The Sea Sprite and the Shooting Star" 1932

General Physical Description note: 1 pamphlet

Scope and Content

Printed in this pamphlet is the poem "The Sea Sprite and the Shooring Star" by Jack London.
Box 2, Folder 30

"Jack London" by himself undated

General Physical Description note: 21 pamphlets

Scope and Content

Each of these pamphlets contains a printing of a short autobiography of Jack London.
Box 2, Folder 31

Instructions for Glen Ellen visitors undated

General Physical Description note: 8 pages

Scope and Content

Small, unfolded pamphlet which describes the routine of the Londons for guests who may be coming to visit.
Box 2, Folder 36

"Jack London's Adventures in the South Sea Islands" 1913 June 23

General Physical Description note: One pamphlet

Scope and Content

On the pamphlet cover- "Mr. Johnson was the only white man who left San Francisco on the "SNARK" that made the entire cruise of the South Sea Islands with Jack London. His pictures and lecture deals with conditions as they are today in this far off and little known part of the world."
Box 2, Folder 37

Pamphlets of works by Jack London undated

General Physical Description note: 10 items

Scope and Content

Publishers' announcements and pamphlets of works by Jack London; includes a complete list of the works of Jack London, a postcard advertising "The Valley of the Moon", and a comprehensive list of Socialist books by Socialists.
Box 2, Folder 38

Pamphlets of works by Charmian London undated

General Physical Description note: 8 items

Scope and Content

Includes publishers' pamphlets for "Our Hawaii", "The Log of the Snark", and "The Book of Jack London".
Box 2, Folder 39

Pamphlets of works not by Jack London 1916

General Physical Description note: 9 items

Scope and Content

Includes pamphlets for "An Interview" by Daniel W. Church, "The Fiction Factory" by John Milton Edwards, "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, and "Jesus: A Passion Play" by Max Ehrmann.
Box 3, Folder 4

Short works by London 1926

General Physical Description note: 3 booklets

Scope and Content

This folder contains 3 booklets/ short works by Jack London- "The Strength of the Strong", "The Son of the Wolf", and "Tramping with Kelly through Iowa".
 

Photographs

Box 2, Folder 25

Signed Photograph of Jack London undated

General Physical Description note: 1 photograph
Box 2, Folder 32

Photographs of Jack London undated

Scope and Content

This folder contains dozens of photos of Jack London, Charmian London, Jack's parents, and the Jack London Ranch in California.
 

Newspaper Clippings

Box 3, Folder 5

Various clippings 1911-1915

General Physical Description note: 6 items

Scope and Content

Various newspaper clippings of Jack London's letters to the editor, and book reviews of his works. A note on top of the file says "Interesting material- signed reply, notes, etc."
Box 3, Folder 9

Articles about London and his works/ legacy 1895-1933

General Physical Description note: 31 items

Scope and Content

This folder contains articles about Jack London on varying topics such as the socialist ideas of Jack London, whether he committed suicide or died naturally, and recollections from friends about days spent with Jack.
Box 3, Folder 10

Miscellaneous clippings 1899-1932

General Physical Description note: 8 items

Scope and Content

Most of these miscellaneous newspaper clippings do not mention Jack London.
Box 5, Folder 1

Newspaper clippings about Jack London 1895 December 25

 

Miscellaneous

Box 2, Folder 34

Documents related to the yacht "Snark" 1908 June 6

General Physical Description note: 2 pages

Scope and Content

This folder contains an itinery and a health certificate from the colony of Fiji.
Box 2, Folder 35

The Ruskin Club 1904-1906

General Physical Description note: 6 pages, which includes 2 newspaper clippings

Scope and Content

Jack London and his wife were guests of honor at The Ruskin Club's dinner reception; included in this folder is the program, two short newspaper articles about Jack's presence at the dinner, and other documents relating to The Ruskin Club.
Box 5, Folder 2

Poster--"Jesus: A Passion Play" undated

General Physical Description note: One poster approximately 21" x 14" and an envelope

Scope and Content

Handwritten on this poster--"Rarest of London items" and "First printing. Very scarce."
Box 3, Folder 38

Unidentified pencil notes undated

Box 3, Folder 39

List of items in the Jack London collection undated

General Physical Description note: 11 pages

Scope and Content

This list from the Dawson Book Shop in Los Angeles, identifies "The Cresmer Collection of Jack London" as 151 items. It is listed for sale at $1,200 dollars.
Box 5

The Jack London Bibliography negative microfilm undated

Box 4

Jack London Bibliography 1942

Scope and Content

This 4x6 index card box contains a very extensive bibliography of the works of Jack London. Written on the first card in the box is a description that reads: "This Bibliography of Jack London's work and the critical reaction it has fastened was prepared for a coursee in Bibliography and Research at the University of Southern California, Summer 1942. It was prepared in a period of four weeks and is as accurate and extensive as the time would allow. I believe it is complete, or nearly so, but it should be checked with the Harvey Taylor bibliography and with all the foreign scholarly, literary, and periodical indexes. Anyone who wishes may use this file for reference or guidance- at the discretion of the library staff."