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Pranksters who “took any drug, any pill, anyone handed him” (Cochrane), has marked up passages (or has had them marked for him) encouraging the faithful to “shun profane and vain babblings” and “flee also youthful lusts” (p. 305). A slip of paper with a note in Carolyn’s handwriting is inserted at p. 189, directing the reader to a verse warning against bad influences: “note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed” (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15). This, the emphasis on “youthful lusts”, and Carolyn’s own inscription stressing her status as Neal’s “only wife” suggest his primary vice: Cassady’s first marriage to LuAnne Henderson was annulled in 1948 before his marriage to Carolyn, but he continued the relationship, and in 1950 Cassady would marry model Diana Hansen, bigamously. His numerous infidelities were portrayed in fiction, most notably by Jack Kerouac in Big Sur (1962) and On the Road (1957). For Kerouac, Cassady was an “American Saint” who had “God sweating out of his forehead all the way” ( On the Road ), a figure of both religious and poetic inspiration: “what is all the holy feeling I have for holy Neal” (quoted in Ingram). This collection testifies to the deep faith of a life of trouble and turmoil, and the endeavours of those close to Cassady to encourage him on the right path: “for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind” (marked-up, p. 304). Together, 3 items. Bible: duodecimo. Original brown pebble-grain cloth, spine ruled in blind and lettered in gilt. Crucifix: copper-silver alloy inlaid with wood, metal Christ figure with scroll and stylised crown of thorns on a sunburst above head fastened with pins. Letter: single sheet typed letter signed, headed “All Saints Church, 2559 South Federal Boulevard, Denver, Colorado, 80219”. Bible: extremities rubbed, tiny mark to spine, covers a little creased, front endpapers a touch foxed, small stain to pp. 830–31, small mark to fore edge, extending into margins of pp. 327–680. Crucifix: a touch of verdigris and a few trivial scratches. Letter: two horizontal creases where folded for posting, pale stains to lower third, pencil inscription and a touch of foxing on verso. All in very good condition. ¶ Lauren Cochrane, “Neal Cassady: Drug-taker. Bigamist. Family man”, The Guardian , 18 January 2011; Sydney A. Ingram, “Beat to Death: The Beat Generation’s Impact on Neal Cassady”, English Independent Study Hon 495; Graham Vickers, Neal Cassady: The Fast Life of a Beat Hero , 2012. £7,500 [158266]
13 autograph and typescript letters, on both plain paper and printed stationary, several with franked envelopes. Generally very good condition. £125,000 [154072] 26 CASSADY, Neal & Carolyn. Neal Cassady’s Bible, inscribed to him by Carolyn, together with his crucifix and a typed letter signed to Carolyn from Neal’s priest and godfather. 1953–68 “Holy Neal” A trio of religious artefacts belonging to Neal Cassady, offering an insight into the sincere and troubled faith of a man venerated for his vices. The collection includes his pocket Bible, presented to him by his wife Carolyn Cassady, inscribed on the printed presentation leaf, “[Presented to] Neal Cassady [by] his only wife Carolyn with love, 1953”, with several pages marked up. Accompanying the Bible, which has Carolyn’s previous ownership inscription on the second blank, is Cassady’s own crucifix, and a typed letter signed to Carolyn from Neal’s godfather and priest, Reverend Harley Schmitt, dated 21 December 1968, from “All Saints Church, Colorado, 80219”, offering his condolences on Neal’s death, and reminiscing on the “lovable boy . . . generous to a fault”. Neal’s faith was a significant part of his life. He had been an altar boy, and in his letter Schmitt remarks on Cassady’s lifelong faith: “Especially, when he was in trouble or in turmoil, he would call me. Years would pass by without a word, and then, suddenly, he would write”. Cassady and Schmitt had met in August 1937, when Neal had attended a Catholic summer camp for poor children and, “subjected to a full-force Cassady charm offensive, Schmitt found himself corralled into becoming Neal’s spiritual godfather” (Vickers). Schmitt recalls Neal’s baptism in his letter and remembers a devout child who “had studied his catechism well, and was eager to receive this holy sacrament”. The marked-up passages in the Bible attest to the trouble and turmoil at the core of Cassady’s faith: the fast-talking, fast- living muse of the Beat generation, the party-man of the Merry
All items are fully described and photographed at peterharrington.co.uk
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