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Jack London Autograph Cable Telegram

Title: Jack London Autograph and Typed Documents Relating to His Contribution to "King Albert's Book"
Author: London, Jack
Description: Contains: Jack London's 22-line holograph, signed, 3-page letter dated Oakland, Calif. Nov. 16, 1914, written in pencil, on The Postal Telegraph-Cable Company's "Night Lettergram" 6x8 sheets * Typed text of 14 lines, 7½x6½, containing London's Belgium tribute for cable transmittal * Typed, signed, letter of 8 lines from Oakland cable office manager to San Francisco cable office regarding London's cable * Typed, signed, letter of 20 lines on Postal Telegraph-Cable Company stationary in reply to previous, 11x8½.Interesting circle of documents concerning Jack London's contribution to "King Albert's Book" - a publication edited by English novelist Hall Caine and containing contributions of text and illustration from 150 of the major writers and illustrators of the day. Proceeds from the sale of the book were to benefit the kingdom of Belgium - whose army had put up heroic resistance to the overwhelmingly stronger German forces when they invaded in August, 1914. London's last-minute contribution as typed for cable transmittal reads: "123 Paid, $19.06, Oakland Calif Nov 16, 14. LCO Hall Caine Daily Telegraph London (Eng). Belgium is rare. Belgium is Unique. Among men arises on rare occasion a great man, a man of cosmic import. Among nations on rare occasion arises a great nation, a nation of cosmic import. Such a nation is Belgium. Such is the place Belgium attained in a day by one mad magnificent heroic leap into the azure. As long as the world rolls and men live that long will Belgium be remembered. All the human world owes and will owe Belgium a debt of gratitude such as was never earned by any nation in the history of nations. It is a magnificent debt a proud debt that all the nations of men will sacredly acknowledge. Jack London." Four instances of typed corrections to the text suggest that London was likely dictating extemporaneously in the cable office. As he notes in his autograph letter to the cable company on their printed forms, "King Albert's Book" was going to press in only 4 days: "Oakland Calif. Nov. 16, 1914. To the Postal Telegraph Cable Company. Hall Caine is the Editor of the 'King Albert' Belgium book, to which one hundred and fifty men each contributed a page tribute to Belgium. The book is to be sold over the world, and the total proceeds are to be presented to Belgium. Here is my letter, as an invited contributor. The book goes to press Nov. 20th., hence I am compelled to cable. I wonder if the Postal Telegraph Cable Company can meet me half way in this night letter deferred cable I am sending. Sincerely yours, Jack London." The 2 inter-office letters between Oakland and San Francisco reveal that London's appeal for relief was met with sympathy, but bore no fruit.
Heading: Place Published: Oakland
Publisher:
Date Published: 1914