Beschreibung:

Title: Typed, Signed Letter from Jack London addressing charges of plagiarism Author: London, Jack Place: Glen Ellen Publisher: Date: Dec. 28, 1910 Description: About 38 lines, typed, doublespaced, on 2 sheets "Saxon Bond" paper. Ink stamp of "Jack London, Glen Ellen, Sonoma Co. Cal." at top of first page. Signed in ink at conclusion of letter on second page by Jack London. The letter refutes charges of plagiarism against the author in relation to his prehistoric fantasy "Before Adam" - ground covered in 1907 when author Stanley Waterloo had charged London with stealing the plot for the story from Waterloo's "AB" (published in 1897)."Dear Comrade Lowrie:- In reply to yours of Dec. 20. First of all, my thanks for the subscription-cards to THE COMING NATION. Now about Miss Katherine Dopp: I don't know the lady, this is no discourtesy on my part, for I usually forget the persons I casually meet or casually correspond with. I don't remember meeting her. If she says so, I certainly did meet her; in which case I am curious to know what material she presented me in writing or by way of correspondence. I wonder if the dear lady at issue is aware that this is the most unfortunate book I ever wrote? If she is aware that I have been long since charged with plagiarizing BEFORE ADAM from Rudyard Kipling and Stanley Waterloo, and other writers who died a generation before they were born? Here is the chronology of BEFORE ADAM: It was finished June 7, 1906. It was written in forty (40) days. It was accepted by EVERYBODY'S, by telegram July 19, 1906. Its publication began in the October Number of EVERYBODY'S, 1906. It might be well to look up and find out if the lady comrade published her work prior to that date. I saw her stuff published subsequently in the INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW. My little private query at the time, uttered only to myself, was to ask if she had gleaned the primitive idea from me. Of course, I made no noise about it. I never dreamed of knocking a comrade. As regards her charges, they are so unfounded that they are to me more astounding than if she had charged me with raping her. I thought, years ago, when all the charges of plagiarism had been slammed into me, that the end of the affair had come. Now comes this lady comrade, whom I don't know, telling me that what I know was learned from her. If she will pardon me, I'll name my teachers as Darwin, Huxley, Spencer, and all the school of evolutionists, who, I hope, had promulgated their theories before she was dry behind the ears. Really she vexes me, and reminds me of the abnormal females described by Havelock Ellis and othe specialists. No other explanation can I reach of her charge that I have intellectually raped her. Take it or leave it, I didn't bother over by bourgeois knockers and traducers; but to have a female comrade jump into the game leads me to doubt and to consult my shelf on psychopathic mania. I wonder if the lady comrade cherishes the idea that her ideas have been evolved out of her own subliminal self? I am returning herewith my letter to you dated February 24, 1909. By all means, show it to her. Better yet, make a copy of it and let her have a copy. Also, show her this present letter of mine. By all means, go ahead with your enterprise. Sincerely yours, Jack London." Lot Amendments Condition: Both sheets fairly browned and stained but quite legible. Good. Item number: 194707