Lot no. 448
[BEAT GENERATION]. Carolyn CASSADY née Robinson (1923-2013), American letter writer. Muse of the Beat Generation: she was the wife of Neal Cassady and had a love affair with Jack Kerouac. She was the model for the character "Camille" in Kerouac's novel On the Road and for "Evelyn" in his novel Big Sur.
Approximately 100 signed letters and cards, mostly autograph, some typed. Bracknell, Berkshire, England. 2000 to 2010, including two particularly busy years: 2001 and 2002. Approximately 200 pages in various formats (many illustrated cards). Envelopes preserved. In English. Extensive love and literary correspondence addressed to the French collector Gérard Leman.
Important testimony to Carolyn Cassady's intimate life with Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.
-Around 8 May 2001]: "My dear Gerard, [...] I think you got the right message from Kerouac; so few do. They forget that Jack had no responsibilities, so he could freely go where and when he pleased without hurting anyone. Unfortunately, many young people deserted their responsibilities of school and home, wrongly supposing that was what Jack had promoted. Not so, and this is one of the misunderstandings that drove him to drink. I was great friends with Allen until his last 10 years, even though I didn't agree with hardly anything he said or did. Still, I loved him. Suddenly, he renewed his old resentment of me and treated me very badly. It made me so sad, and there was no way he'd let me talk to him. Near his death, he asked himself and even began a poem with "Why do I still resent Carolyn?" but he did not live long enough to answer it or make amends. Bill Burroughs believed Allen when Allen told him I was a typical bitch who wanted to keep her man to herself. As if I ever could ! He was never interested enough in me (or most women) to find the truth. I met him several times, and he usually looked right through me or referred me to his keeper. I don't mind, because I never saw anything to admire in Bill. He had a brilliant mind, but I think anyone who purposely goes about to degrade his physical instrument to the extent he did is on the wrong track. Also, he and Allen were constantly condemning and judging, but I don't think either offered a better way. Allen was incredibly ignorant of true Buddhism, as well. I never talked with him about it, although he used to preach it to me. I just let it go. Neal and I had studied it deeply at one time, and I had learned more about it through the years. The saddest part of Allen's death was that he forgot my son John. Allen used to be so nice to him, since John was also named for him. He'd get John to play guitar when he read, invited him to all the private dinners etc., gave him signed books and so on. When we learned Allen had only a few months to live, John asked me what he should do. I said, "You must call him." So John did so, and my friend who was looking after Allen said, "Oh yes, John, he'll surely want to speak with you." But Allen had just gone into a coma and never woke up. John was quite saddened, but, being John, he recovered [...]".
-24 May 2001: "My dear Gerard, [...] How kind of you to offer publicity help for my book! [...] Alas, however, although Denoel had promised to bring me to Paris to promote it, they reneged, ssying my French wasn't fluent enough. Honestly. I told them I don't need much conversation when signing books in bookshops, as I do all over Europe and never have any language problems that aren't overcome. Odd, too, because there were
two books by Kerouac and a translation of Neal's First Third being launched at the same time by other publishers in Paris. I'd have thought they could all have benefited by my appearing in person, since I'm connected with all of those books, and there are few of us left who are, and noe so close. I was very disappointed, to be sure. I was pleased that the publisher was Denoel, because they published Louis Ferdinand Celine, one of Jack's, Neal's and my favourite writers. They sold over 2700 books in the first six months, but I've not heard how it's doing since. Publishers go on to promoting newer books as soon as they've launched one. I'm surprised that mine is still in print in the US and UK for these 11 years. Neal's does better, which in a way surprises me. His is translated in many languages or has been. It was published in 1971, and the royalties I get from it keep me financially solvent.
We are trying to get published a book of his letters but are not having much luck, which, considering how well his book sells, is a mystery. Two books of his letters have already been published, but they are now out of print. The new one contains those to Kerouac mainly with a few other people and me. The family that control Jack's estate are probably to blame, since they resent my relationship with him and have the power to influence publishers. As you have no doubt heard, the original scroll of Jack's On The Road was just auctioned by them in NY, bringing the highest price paid for a literary work of all time. (The previous record was won by Celine, which pleases me, too.) The whole world rose up to object to this auction without success. In the end it was bought by the owner of a football club in Indianapolis, USA. Well, I guess that's ironic, since Jack was a football player, but who would ever think such a person in the Mid- West of America be a Kerouac fan? And that rich [...]".
-29 September 2001: "My dear, dear, darling Gerard. [...] Yes, John Sampas had made more millions by selling (not giving) Jack's works to the NYPL. Nevertheless, some good. He didn't mention, however, that he has already sold 98 (!) letters to a dealer for over a million dollars already. How many millions does this unenlightened man need? How much is he giving to worthy causes? Even the Kerouac writer's house in Orlando or other projects in the name of Jack? Poor, poor Ti Jean! What a fate. Ma coeur bleeds. And, bless you for caring. Alas, all that we had from or about Jack was sold for peanuts in the early 50s to the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. Today, I could be a millioare, like Sampas, if we had waited. I wanted to wait, somehow feeling these letters, notes, postcards would be more valuable in future, but I gave in to Neal's desire--he always so eager to find money to support his family, and, of course, then OTR had not yet been published. Ah well, the story of my life. If we had saved the camera, the typewriter, the tape-recorder, any number of shirts left-never mind. What is IS, and Divine Order is in charge of my life. (YOU one of my biggest blessings, wow) On the other hand, many of my letters, of Neal's letters are being sold at auction or to dealers for large sums, none of which comes to the writers. There is something wrong with this system. [...] Oh dear oh dear, how I wish I could be a fly on the wall when you present your "Beat Generation" programme!!! [...]. My heart, body and soul are reaching out to you passionately. I love you, I love you [...].
-5 October 2001: "My dear, darling, Gerard. [...] Every time I hear or read "Beat Generation" I flinch. I am so alien to all that that concept engenders. Neal and I have to be included in it just because we were so close to Kerouac, who, himself, did not agree with the concept either. But you've read my book; you understand. So at this event, once again I must talk about these men, and I am being asked to write an article about
Neal for some new magazine. I meet those involved next week. What more can I say about him? Alas, so many of the articles I've already published are read by so few, I have to keep repeating. [...] I had lunch yesterday with her husband, Jay Landesman--my oldest dearest friend here--and he said he hadn't been able to get a free pass for me and that the show was sold out. The tickets were £30 for a decent seat, so I decided not to risk it. I'm sure there would be no spares, since Sir Paul McCartney was also on the bill. Jay, by the way, was the first to publish Beat poets in NY in 1954, yet he is never asked to any Beat gathering. They knew Jack as well. He had a play on Broadway called "The Nervous Set", but it was before it's time and didn't have a long run. He's been revising it into a musical with songs by Fran, but is having no luck getting it performed or filmed. It's odd, because he knows so many show people.
[...] As you know, Neal's book THE FIRST THIRD was published in 1970 by City Lights. Lawrence Ferlinghetti and I have always had a very cordial relationship. As he grew older, he gave more and more responsibility to his office manager, Nancy Peters. She and I also had a cordial relationship. or so I thought. When I had an agent, he told me I was getting far too low percentage in royalties, since the book had been in print so many years and I should demand a higher rate. Not wishing to risk my friendship with Nancy, I said I didn't want to complain, but he insisted. So I finally asked Nancy when I was in SF- -years ago, like around 11. She laughed and said they only kept the book in print as a favour to me--they lost money on it. I didn't think, just took her word for it, but my agent hit the roof. Of course, they make piles of money from it, and it is translated into almost every language or has been. So I went back to her, and she raised the percentage somewhat. I tried to tell Lawrence about this many years later again. He said "that doesn't sound like Nancy" and I agreed. [...] Now then--all that long story was to tell you that at the same time another man had written to request a film option on Neal's book. I had to tell him it was already under option, but if the guy didn't buy it, I'd be glad to hear from him again. This happened the other day. He wrote again and now is interested in an option on Neal's book and possibly mine as well. So I have emailed him my interest but also in his credentials, experience, etc, telling him I wish to keep the rights in the hopes I can have some control over how the films are made. I've been burned twice by film makers who've lied to me consistently, and I do know I lose all control once I've signed a contract. This may be the reason I have had no answer from him as yet. We shall see, but I'd rather no films were made if they'll once again be as awful as the last two. There now. You know another of my concerns---always waiting waiting.
Another is the Swedish rock star, author, painter, Ulf Lundell. I can't remember how much I told you about him, but suffice it to say I am now awaiting his response to my query about the prints of my photo he suggested he make and sell to his millions of fans [...]".
-13 November 2001: "My friend Gerard. The loyalty and devotion you feel for your family is exactly what I expected of Neal, and I believe that was his vision as well. I was so naive when we met, I assumed this state of affairs would happen automatically. I was conditioned by the " one and only" tradition. I learned from Neal and many others that this is sometimes a very realistic ideal and can be a detrimental concept. [...]
Neal was given no mother-love as a baby and child and was abused by his older half-brothers. He never knew what a "family" meant. I've heard it said that the origin of the idea of a family was that it was a perfect school in which to learn every kind of love. Yours must be a model of this idea. Any problems were ironed out and forgiven, since one belonged to a family in which it is taken for granted that they love each other. I think
mother-love and cuddling is essential for any "animal", including human ones. I suspect this might be one reason Neal sought love so desperately the rest of his life. I, alone, nor even the children, could not supply his need, and he always felt "unworthy" as well. Al Hinkle was another teacher. Al was not very well endowed sexually. He was tall, blond and handsome, but he had this handicap--at least in his own mind. His wife, Helen, although producing two children, disliked sex and was physically unattractive. She was also wise. She told me if I ever heard of Al being unfaithful, please don't tell her; she didn't want to know. I did know of several occasions when Al had other girls, but in his case, I think this amounted to therapy. He needed that boost of confidence and self- respect. His family always came first, and he loved Helen and the children greatly. I think he became a better husband and father because of his outside sexual activity. I do believe in discretion, and what you don't know won't hurt you; I wish Neal had been more discreet, because he tried to show me that he didn't love ME any less. Some hearts are just too big to hold only one. It took me a long time to learn this truth. There are other facets in some persons' makeup that need sharing and expressing with other people outside the family, not just sex.
Because I had been abused by my two older brothers as a child, I locked away any sexuality, and throughout the rest of my life until recently I thought sex was beastly and disgusting and wondered what all the fuss was about. I also blocked the memory of these incidents, so I never told Neal. Now I wish so much I had, because I'm sure he would understand my frigidity and probably be compassionate. Our life together could have been very different, I'm sure. I received very little cuddling or affection as a child, so when I later was pursued by hungry wolves, they were sometimes accepted because I missed the affection and approval so much. I usually had to get intoxicated before I could face surrender, and I hated it [...]".
Neil Cassady had married Carolyn Robinson in 1948. Their marriage was chaotic, punctuated by separations and infidelities. Carolyn in particular had an affair with Jack Kerouac. As for Neil, he had many affairs.
Carolyn Cassady has enclosed various documents on the Beat Generation:
-A photocopy of a letter from Neal Cassady to Jack Kerouac. 7 January 1948. 4 pp. in-4. -Photocopy of a letter from Jack Kerouac to Carolyn Cassady. 23 June 1961. 3 pp. in-8. -Various newspaper articles and photocopied and signed photographs with dispatches.
