Beat Generation & American Counterculture

A collection of rare manuscripts, artworks and personal artefacts spanning the Beat Generation, American counterculture and wider post-war cultural history.

Hunter S. Thompson (1937–2005) Personally worn and signed Tilley hat

An original Tilley hat formerly belonging to American writer and journalist Hunter S. Thompson, signed in black sharpie by Hunter S Thompson

with original “NIXON / AGNEW” pinback badge affixed to the crown. Retaining extensive surface wear, staining and patina from use.

Acquired directly from Thompson by Karl D. Sheppard, a former serviceman and admirer of the writer, who met Thompson and his wife Anita in an airline VIP lounge. According to Sheppard’s accompanying signed letter of provenance, he and Thompson shared a bottle of Crown Royal while talking about shooting and Sheppard’s military experiences. Sheppard recalls that Anita had become frustrated with Hunter’s much-worn Tilley, which she felt was getting old and badly needed washing. On seeing Sheppard wearing a new Tilley, she suggested that Hunter sign his own hat and exchange it for Sheppard’s. Thompson agreed, handing over the present hat

Provenance
Hunter S. Thompson; acquired directly from Thompson by Karl D. Sheppard through an exchange of hats, according to the accompanying signed letter of provenance; private collection- Accompanied by: letter of provenance from Karl D. Sheppard

£On Loan

William S. Burroughs — Typed Letter Signed

An undated typed letter from William S. Burroughs to a Mr Wilkinson, discussing physicist John Wheeler, ESP, scientific and political power, his early financial support as a writer, the publication of Naked Lunch, writer’s block

Dear Mr/ Wilkinson:

John Wheeler would have a stoke to observe his recognition pn
physics equated with Est with its overtones of ESP. He is rabid
on the subject. God forbid taht scientists should ever obtain
political power. They would be worse than the Inquisition.
I had the good fortune of a $200 a moth advance until I was able
to maked living from my writing after the publication of Naked Lunch
in 1962. So externalities never influenced my productivity. However,
I have had many periods of ‘writer block’ usually from overwriting.
I am indeed very dubius of cat haters. In ancient Egypt harming
a cat was a capital offense. I now have six cats strays for
the most part.

Sincerely,
William S. Burroughs

One page, typewritten with several corrections and signed in ink “William S Burroughs” above his typed name. With original folds, staining and age-related marks

£On loan

William S Burroughs- Hand Typed and Signed Letter- Tangier Morocco- 1964

An original hand typed and signed letter by William S Burroughs

The letter addressed/written from the Moroccan Consulate Tangier dates from 28th September 1964. 

Burroughs at the time was writing/finishing Nova Expresss and experimenting deeply in his ‘Cut-up’ technique as well as grappling heavily with heroin. He writes directly in the letter about discovering this new technique in writing and picturesque illustrated manuscripts. The letter is typed on rare Japanese Yedo paper- hidden watermarked- The letter writes

Dear Jake,

I wrote you two letters which you apparently have not received. In the first letter I returned the $100 feeling at that time I could not fullfill the assignment. HoweverI reconsidered in view of some interesting literary experiments with copying and rewriting In any case I could I could not of done the job by now since I have been more than usually occupied. If your client will give me the option as to format. I would like to use a three column arrangement xxxxxxx I am prepared to go ahead with the job but could not give a definite time limit since I may be too occupied to finish on schedule. Please let me hear from you.

Very best,

William Burroughs 

P.s I have been experimenting with picturesque illustrated manuscripts especially for the rae book trade. Sent one out To a little magasine the other day asking them to get in touch With you as regards the M.S

“Jake”, is likely to have been Jake Zeitlin (1902–1987), the influential Los Angeles antiquarian bookseller, publisher and cultural figure who dealt extensively in modern literature, manuscripts and artists’ books. Zeitlin was an important figure in the American rare-book trade and maintained relationships with many leading writers and collectors of the period.

£3500

William S Burroughs & Allen Ginsberg.

Korean Tyger, 1991
acrylic on paper
44 x 58.5 cm (17 1/4 x 23 in.)
signed lower left and center, titled and dated lower left.

Acquired by a private collector directly from Allen Ginsberg
Sotheby's New York, October 7, 1999, lot 183
Private Collection, New York

This collaborative work was created when Allen Ginsberg was visiting William Burroughs in Lawrence, Kansas in the Spring of 1991.

£POA

Woody Guthrie- Personally Owned Set of Shellac Records

A signed and inscribed record sleeve presented by Woody Guthrie to Ruth Sexter, a babysitter to his daughter Cathy and later to son Arlo. 1p, 10" x 11.75", [New York], November 19, 1945. Sexter (also written as "Sexton") was herself familiar with the music industry as a co-writer of "A Boy Without a Girl" (1959), performed by Frankie Avalon. Guthrie's inscription reads in full:

"To Ruth- who made more and better [illegible], put on more and better acts, and served the populace as great a good by letting Cathy teach her a few facts of life, as did the sounds and the voices and the music here- and maybe done her part to keep any more such stories as these from taking place."

Together with a collection of four vinyl records, including: "Buffalo Skinner/Pretty Boy Floyd" by Woody Guthrie (New York, Asch Records)- "Lost John by Sonny Terry/Union Burying Ground by Woody Guthrie" (New York, Asch Records) - "The Minute Man/Froggy Bottom" by Josh White (New York, Asch Records), proceeds donated in part to the National Service Fund of Disabled American Veterans- "Waltzing to Jazz" by Larry Page (New York, April-Blackwood), 45 RPM

Exhibits darked age toning, creasing, and areas of paper loss near edges. Isolated soiling caused by staples, effecting one word of the text. Overall, very good with fantastic inscription- dated just six days after his marriage to Marjorie

The collection comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications)

£3750

James Dean- Original Signed Contract

New York, 19 June 1953
Typed Letter Signed, regarding his earliest screen/voice tests

A two-page typed letter from James Dean to executives at Loews Incorporated, then affiliated with MGM, in which Dean agrees to perform “screen and/or voice tests” without compensation.
Signed on the second page “James Dean” in blue ballpoint pen, and countersigned by the Vice President of Loews Inc., mutually assenting to the agreement.

The contract predates Dean’s first major film role in East of Eden by approximately two years, and relates to an early stage in his transition towards a screen career.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, on onion-skin paper.
Dated June 19, 1953, New York, NY.
Each page approximately 8.5 x 11 in.

Provenance: The Estate of Jane Deacy, James Dean’s agent.

£6500

Henry Miller (b1891 – 1980)

Handwritten letter on headed paper which reads

"If I can do nothing, I do it with a vengeance." This is a letter from the writer Henry Miller to his friend Walker Winslow in Sacramento. It dates from July 1965,
He advises Winslow on matters of life and work and mentions his own painting, Carroll Baker's suing of Joseph E. Levine, and his hope that his "constant pain" may soon be relived by a new "miracle pain reliever."

The letter is dated 7/12/65. It reads:
" Dear Walker, Good to hear from you again. I wouldn't worry about the inactivity. That can be very "active" too, you know. I haven't been writing much either, to speak of. Too many intrusions as usual. Gets worse all the time. So I just do what I can ~ paint whenever I get the chance or, if I can do nothing I do it with a vengeance. The worst thing is to feel one should or must do this or that. Just let "it" lead you by the nose, wherever it takes you. You do your work just by being yourself, by being "available". and if you no longer want much, or anything but the minimum, you've come a long way toward fulfillment. So long as you can live with yourself, accept yourself for what you are ~ right? I never did undergo the operation. Had several other (diverse) opinions and decided to hold off as long as possible. But am in constant pain. There will be a new miracle pain reliever out soon, discovered by the Zellerbach Paper Co. ~ a sort of panacea for everything. I'm waiting to try it out. It's supposed to be especially good for arthritis, rheumatism, the shingles. etc!!
I think I'll be here all summer, but never know much in advance. I go when I get "the call". Rely more and more on intuition. The film (Cancer) has been postponed till next year. Carroll Baker is suing Levine for $2,000,000 ~ because she won't be in it as promised. Glad you got "Clichy". All the other banned books are now out too
~ by Grove Press and also by the Greenleaf Pub. Co ~ (pirates). No U.S. copyright, so no protection. also my " Letters To Anais Nin" (Putnam's) ~ an expensive item. Well that's it for now. Don't lose faith ~ in yourself, I mean. You've rendered service ( to your fellow man) as few have.
All the best,
Henry

P.S. I've written Virginia about the books. Thanks! Have you ever read any of Isaac Bashevis Singer's books? I love him."

£750

Laurence Ferlinghetti

In a strange mood, 2012
acrylic and ink on paper
71cm x 50cm
initialed and dated lower left- signed, dated and titled on verso

Acquired from John Perino/Focus Gallery- San Francisco, California in 2016

£1400