Jack London, the famous author and adventurer, wrote the magazine article “A Royal Sport” and the book “The Cruise of the Snark”(1911), each of which exposed and promoted surfing to a worldwide audience. His five-month stay on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii in 1907 included entertaining with the deposed Queen Liliuokalani and learning to surf. In 1907 he was the world’s highest paid writer and embarked on a two year cruise on the Snark to Hawaii and the South Seas. He and his wife also visited Hawaii in 1915 and 1916. This lot includes three times from London’s remarkable life. The first item is the signed sepia passport photo of Jack London from the timeframe of the “Cruise of the Snark” (1911). It was taken by Arnold Genthe, a San Francisco photographer famous for photos of San Francisco’s Chinatown, the 1906 earthquake and portraits of noted people. London took this photo off his passport and gave it to Edith B. Williams, who admired the photo, and was sister to Claire (Mrs. Bruce Cartwright). It is 2.5”x2 3/8” and pictured on page 11 in Mark Blackburn’s 2001 book “Surf’s Up: Collecting in the Longboard Era.” London's passport photo holds immense value due to its historical significance and the personal connection it offers to the renowned author. The second item is a note dated July 10, 1916 to “Piilani”. Bernice Piilani Irwin was the wife of Edward Payson Irwin, editor of the Honolulu Advertiser, the morning paper on Oahu. This note refers to conversations about Hawaiian tales and legends. Bernice (called by her middle name Piilani) knew everyone and wrote a very funny column in Hawaiian pidgin English for the Advertiser. Two days before this note was done, Bruce Cartwright had a grand party and Bernice Piilani had dinner with London and his wife Charmian, with Claire Cartwright cooking. Claire was a noted cook and taught many of her recipes to Victor, the chef at the St. Francis hotel in San Francisco. Bernice Piilani went to the hospital after the meal. The next day she had a major operation for a burst appendix. London visited her with a bouquet of gardenias. This note was in the enclosed card. It refers to the Hawaiian legend of Man’s creation from the Taro plant. The note is dated July 10, 1916, with London and Charmian departing Hawaii later in July after their eight month visit. London died four months later, 40 years old, on November 22, 1916 of kidney failure at his home in Glenn Ellen, California. Finally, the third item is a rare postcard of London surfing. It was mailed, postmarked July 8, 1912, and is a real black/white photograph that has been hand tinted with added green and faint red color. The person standing straight up is London as identified on the same page 11 in the “Surf’s Up” book. This early real photo postcard is also one that has added surfers from other waves onto this single wave, an early example of photo editing from other surfing photos. A close look at several surfers shows that they have been “placed” on the wave. Lastly, the note written on the card’s other side says in part “you think you could have a good time surf riding”….a very early rare 1912 written communication of surfing to the outside world from Hawaii (it was sent to San Francisco). The rarity of London's original passport photo, combined with the accompanying handwritten letter and postcard ensures its exclusivity in the world of collectibles. While it is challenging to ascertain an exact value for such a unique item, past sales and auctions provide valuable insights into its potential worth. Similar historical artifacts related to esteemed authors have commanded significant sums, with prices often reaching into the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Previous sales and auctions of rare literary artifacts have demonstrated the immense demand for items associated with esteemed authors like London. Comparable collectibles, such as original manuscripts, first edition books, and personal effects, have achieved remarkable prices. These include handwritten letters, photographs, and ephemera, which have garnered substantial attention and substantial bids from passionate collectors. Considering the enduring popularity of London’s works and his prominent place in literary history, the value of his original passport photo and handwritten letter is likely to increase over time. As the availability of such items diminishes, the desirability and rarity of these unique artifacts will only escalate further, making them both a treasured possession and a sound investment for collectors and enthusiasts. These items exemplify the enduring allure of literary memorabilia and provide a tangible connection to one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century. *Book photos for reference only

Condition
Good+ with typical wear, Fine hairline crack shown for reference in the case.

Signature
yes