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Jack London Described in Old Diary

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Title: Lot of 8 Items, Including Photographs and Diaries of Jack London Associate John A. Brown
Author: London, Jack - John A. Browne
Description: Includes: 2 leatherbound wallet-style diaries with autograph entries by John A. Brown: Bancroft's Pacific Coast Diary for 1884. 6x3, approx. 400 pp. * The Perpetual Diary with Almanac for 1876 (entries are dated circa 1900-23). 3½x5, approx. 400 pp. * 3 boudoir card photographs: 1 studio portrait of John A. Browne, 1 studio portrait of Mrs. J. A. Browne, 1 a composite of City of Vallejo Board of Trustees, including John a. Browne. 8½x5½ * 1 silver print photograph of John A. Browne on horseback. 5½x3¼ * 1 John A. Brown business card. 2x3½ * 1 Typed letter to John A. Browne from C.H. Jenkins Co., San Francisco, as agents for Blickensderfer Typewriters, 22 lines. 11x8½.Interesting assortment of artifacts of Vallejo-born John A. Browne (1859-?), one of the organizers, and second Commodore, of the Vallejo Yacht Club, which London joined in 1910 and where he kept his sailboat "Roamer." Judge Browne (he was justice of the peace for Vallejo township from 1898-1921) and his family became friends of the Londons. Both diaries are signed by Brown on the front endpapers. The first diary contains personal entries and accounts dated 1884-86, with several notices from newspaper sources glued in. The second diary was kept as a notebook primarily for recording (2 or 3 per page on about 50 pages) personal impressions of individual acquaintances or friends in his own standardized format including Name, Place, Time (i.e. date of encounter), and Opinion. Judge Brown was a keen observer and his opinions were candid and often unflattering, though Jack London fairs well. He is described thus: "Name- Jack London / Time - Apr. 12, 1911 / Place - Home / Opinion - Brilliant talker - interesting - fine head and honest looking. Evidently possesses the courage of his convictions (even if they are wrong). Philosophic. Independent, but not aggressive." Several pages of the diary contain miscellaneous notes, quotes, accounts, inventories, etc. Boudoir card portrait photographs circa late 1800s by Solano Art Studio, J. C. Smith, Vallejo, Cal. Board of Trustees photo by "McMillan Photo. No address. * Photo of Browne on horseback with pencil note on rear: "He is going to his sweetheart in Vallejo." * Business card of John A. Browne, Conveyancer, Notary Public, 822 Marin St. Vallejo, Calif., with autograph memo on rear * Letter concerns a history of Blickensderfer Typewriters, and refers to an exchange of machines. A postscript names Jack London: "Your tip in relation to Jack London will have our attention by us writing him at Glen Ellen, as we believe this is his address, but if you can further advise us, will follow it up." (signed) C.H. Jenkins. Together 8 items.
Heading: Place Published: (Vallejo, CA)
Publisher:
Date Published: 1884-1923