Kerouac TLS w/ "On the Road" Content Re: Bev Buford, Model for Babe Rawlins

A typed postcard addressed to Kerouac's lifelong friend Ed White and uniquely signed as "Dr. Jack" in bottom right corner. Within, he discusses a letter he received from their mutual friend Beverly, for whom he modeled the character "Babe Rawlins" in On the Road, having accidentally thrown away her return address. Also referenced in the correspondence is Ed himself, who appears in the book as "Tim Gray" and Allan Temko, or "Roland Major". Both White and Temko were notable architects, a point that Jack pokes fun at by asking which one of them built the Taj Mahal. The postcard has been stamped from Kerouac's P.O. box in Orlando, FL on April 4, 1962 and measures 5.5" x 3.25" overall. Ink from rubber stamp slightly covering text near top of postcard, otherwise near fine with fascinating contents!

In full, with original punctuation:

"Dear Ed--- Got a letter from Bev but as usual I threw the envelope away and only kept the letter, so just now as I'm about to answer her the only signature is 'Beverley Ann' but it says in the letter she's married to a 'nurseryman' so I thought maybe I'd address it 'Beverly Ann Nurseryman' '1225 Soutn [sic] Elm St Denver 22' but as soon as do that I'd as lief be rusted by a kief wind to find that clef, ho ho. So. When you see or write Bev, tell her this, tell her write another note but tell her mainly I'm glad she got herslef a serenity garden at last (herslef rimes with clef)---
Gad, sir, out of my mind at last--- The glooms of old Johnson are tinged with such joy and swich licor.
            Tell Bev Allen & Peter are in India walking around saying 'Hmm'
             '… wonder what that character's doing with a camel in a Ford truck?'
             'Who built the Taj Mahal? Ed White or Allan Temko?'
                       Dr. Jack"

First published in 1957, Kerouac's second novel On the Road proved to be a pivotal work not only for his career, but for the entire Beat Generation. While still a work of fiction, it was heavily influenced by his own personal experiences and acquaintances, including his first meeting with Denver native Beverly Burford and her brother Bob (who also appears in the novel as "Ray Rawlins"). They were introduced in 1947 by Ed White himself, who later reflected on very similar event to what occurred in On the Road in which he loaned Kerouac a suit so he (Jack) could take Beverly to the opera.

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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