London, Jack

"First of all, whatever you do, read Conrad's latest --VICTORY. Read it, it you have to pawn your watch to buy it. Conrad has exceeded himself", writing at his astonishment at the characterisation and emotional truth of the novel ("...all the love and the sex of it is correct, cursedly correct, splendidly, magnificently correct.."), carbon copy, 1 page, folio, 216 Beach Walk, Honolulu, 3 June 1915, fold marks, nicks

Halsted B. Vander Poel; sale of his library, Christie's, 3 March 2004, lot 273

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"... I am glad that I am alive, if, for no other reason, because of the joy of reading this book..."

An impassioned response to Victory, widely considered Conrad's last great novel. The day after writing his letter to his long-term correspondent Cloudsley Johns, London wrote to Conrad himself, telling the author that he had never dreamed of writing to him but Victory "has swept me off my feet", and enclosing a copy of his letter to Cloudsley. Conrad replied to London on 10 September writing of the "intense satisfaction given me by the approval of an accomplished fellow-craftsman and a true brother in letters" (Collected Letters, V, p.507). Since the letter sent to Cloudsley himself (and published in The Letters of Jack London) includes a post-script not found here, this is therefore almost certainly the copy of the letter sent by London to Conrad.