Skip to content

On the Road: The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Road: The Original Scroll Hardcover - 2007

by Jack Kerouac; Introduction by Howard Cunnell; Introduction by Joshua Kupetz


Summary

The legendary 1951 scroll draft of On the Road, published word for word as Kerouac originally composed it

Though Jack Kerouac began thinking about the novel that was to become On the Road as early as 1947, it was not until three weeks in April 1951, in an apartment on West Twentieth Street in Manhattan, that he wrote the first full draft that was satisfactory to him. Typed out as one long, single-spaced paragraph on eight long sheets of tracing paper that he later taped together to form a 120 foot scroll, this document is among the most significant, celebrated, and provocative artifacts in contemporary American literary history. It represents the first full expression of Kerouac’s revolutionary aesthetic, the identifiable point at which his thematic vision and narrative voice came together in a sustained burst of creative energy. It was also part of a wider vital experimentation in the American literary, musical, and visual arts in the post-World War II period.

It was not until more than six years later, and several new drafts, that Viking published, in 1957, the novel known to us today. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of On the Road, Viking will publish the 1951 scroll in a standard book format. The differences between the two versions are principally ones of significant detail and altered emphasis. The scroll is slightly longer and has a heightened linguistic virtuosity and a more sexually frenetic tone. It also uses the real names of Kerouac’s friends instead of the fictional names he later invented for them. The transcription of the scroll was done by Howard Cunnell who, along with Joshua Kupetz, George Mouratidis, and Penny Vlagopoulos, provides a critical introduction that explains the fascinating compositional and publication history of On the Road and anchors the text in its historical, political, and social context.


@Didn’tTypeOnTP! For TWITTERATURE of On the Road by Jack Kerouac, please see On the Road by Jack Kerouac.

From Twitterature: The World's Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less

From the publisher

The legendary 1951 scroll draft of On the Road, published word for word as Kerouac originally composed it Though Jack Kerouac began thinking about the novel that was to become On the Road as early as 1947, it was not until three weeks in April 1951, in an apartment on West Twentieth Street in Manhattan, that he wrote the first full draft that was satisfactory to him. Typed out as one long, single-spaced paragraph on eight long sheets of tracing paper that he later taped together to form a 120 foot scroll, this document is among the most significant, celebrated, and provocative artifacts in contemporary American literary history. It represents the first full expression of Kerouac's revolutionary aesthetic, the identifiable point at which his thematic vision and narrative voice came together in a sustained burst of creative energy. It was also part of a wider vital experimentation in the American literary, musical, and visual arts in the post-World War II period. It was not until more than six years later, and several new drafts, that Viking published, in 1957, the novel known to us today. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of On the Road, Viking will publish the 1951 scroll in a standard book format. The differences between the two versions are principally ones of significant detail and altered emphasis. The scroll is slightly longer and has a heightened linguistic virtuosity and a more sexually frenetic tone. It also uses the real names of Kerouac's friends instead of the fictional names he later invented for them. The transcription of the scroll was done by Howard Cunnell who, along with Joshua Kupetz, George Mouratidis, and Penny Vlagopoulos, provides a critical introduction that explains the fascinating compositional and publication history of On the Road and anchors the text in its historical, political, and social context.


Details

  • Title On the Road: The Original Scroll
  • Author Jack Kerouac; Introduction by Howard Cunnell; Introduction by Joshua Kupetz
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 416
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Viking, New York
  • Date August 16, 2007
  • ISBN 9780670063550 / 067006355X
  • Weight 1.32 lbs (0.60 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.35 in (23.62 x 16.00 x 3.43 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 940
  • Library of Congress subjects Beat generation, Kerouac, Jack
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2007005306
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Jack Kerouac(1922-1969), the central figure of the Beat Generation, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1922 and died in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1969. Among his many novels are On the Road, The Dharma Bums, Big Sur, and Visions of Cody.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

On the Road: The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack

  • Used
Condition
UsedVeryGood
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Skokie, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$12.39
A$6.19 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedVeryGood. The pages are sun faded and slightly yellowing Pages are clean! The cover has visible markings and wear. The dust jacket shows normal wear and tear. Fast Shipping - Each order powers our free bookstore in Chicago and sending books to Africa!
Item Price
A$12.39
A$6.19 shipping to USA
On the Road: The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Jack Kerouac; Introduction-Joshua Kupetz; Introduction-George Mouratidis; Introduction-Penny Vlagopoulos; Contributor-Howard Cunnell

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$24.97
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Viking Adult, 2007-08-16. Hardcover. Good.
Item Price
A$24.97
FREE shipping to USA
On the Road: The Original Scroll

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Almere, Netherlands
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$36.93
A$40.28 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Viking, 2007. Hardcover. Good. Original boards, gilt lettered spine, dust jacket, 8vo.
Item Price
A$36.93
A$40.28 shipping to USA
On the Road:  The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack & Howard Cunnell & Joshua Kupetz & George Mouratidis & Penny Vlagopoulos

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good in Very Good dust jacket
Edition
First Edition; First Printing
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Fayetteville, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$54.12
A$9.28 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Viking Adult. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 2007. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. 067006355X . Pages are tanned; light coverwear to edges, corners and spine tips ; 6.24 X 1.39 X 9.3 inches; 416 pages .
Item Price
A$54.12
A$9.28 shipping to USA
On The Road
More Photos

On The Road: the orginal scroll

by Kerouac, Jack

  • Used
  • Fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
first
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
pdx, Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$61.85
A$6.17 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
book is unread. as new, one ownertext is unmarkedincludes 100 pages of notes and history of scroll-lots of folk lore and dispute about the creation of the book on the road scroll now at University of IndianaImportant piece of American Literature and life
Item Price
A$61.85
A$6.17 shipping to USA
On The Road: The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On The Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - VG+ (small indentation to lower board edge; spine ends crinkled. dustjacket has rubbing to corners; edge-wear)
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Columbia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$69.58
A$13.90 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Needham, Massachusetts: Viking, 2007. Hardcover. VG+ (small indentation to lower board edge; spine ends crinkled. dustjacket has rubbing to corners; edge-wear). cream and black cloth boards w/ girl spine printing. 408 pgs. yellow & orange printed dustjacket. Remains tightly bound; appears to be a light read and handled copy. "...Represents the first full expression of Kerouac's revolutionary aesthetic, the identifiable point at which his thematic vision and narrative voice came together in a sustained burst of creative energy. It was also part of a wider vital experimentation in the American literary, musical, and visual arts in the post-World War II period. It was not until more than six years later, and several new drafts, that Viking published, in 1957, the novel known to us today. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of On the Road, Viking will publish the 1951 scroll in a standard book format. The differences between the two versions are principally ones of significant detail and altered… Read More
Item Price
A$69.58
A$13.90 shipping to USA
On the Road: The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack

  • Used
  • Fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Fine
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Modesto, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$77.32
A$6.96 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
New York: Viking, 2007. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. First printing of this edition reproducing the original scroll, with full number line. Sharp, clean copy in bright, unclipped dust jacket free of tears with light stress line to one flap fold and a bit of a wrinkle in a spot on the lower front panel, not very noticeable in new archival mylar dust jacket protector.
Item Price
A$77.32
A$6.96 shipping to USA
On the Road: The Original Scroll

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
First US Edition Thus/First Printing
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Albany, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$77.32
A$7.73 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
New York: Viking , 2007. First US Edition Thus/First Printing. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. Full number line 10-1. In yellow boards with black spine and gilt. Jacket unclipped with minimal wear typical to jacket material used. A very nice copy.
Item Price
A$77.32
A$7.73 shipping to USA
On the Road: The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$84.68
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Viking Adult, 2007-08-16. hardcover. Good. 6x1x9.
Item Price
A$84.68
FREE shipping to USA
On the Road: The Original Scroll
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Road: The Original Scroll

by Kerouac, Jack (Jean-Louis) Cunnell, Howard (editor)

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
1st
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670063550
ISBN 10
067006355x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Hagerstown, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$100.51
A$11.13 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
NY: Viking Press, 2007. 1st printing; dj w/unclipped price, in mylar; 408 clean, unmarked pages. 1st. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. 8 Vo.
Item Price
A$100.51
A$11.13 shipping to USA