Jack London's Real Life 'Buck' and Kahlil Gibran Signed Sketch: The Week in Rare Books

This weekly auction result is provided by Spencer W Stuart, an independent collections advisor specializing in rare books and manuscripts as well as fine photography and prints. He is also the author of Contemporary Issues in Rare Books & Manuscript Collecting and host of the monthly webinar Collecting Insights.

These are the two lots that stuck out this week because of either uniqueness or exceeding expectations:

Jack London Letter about The Call of the Wild

Likely circa. 1912 framed autograph letter signed by Jack London on half-title page removed from an edition of The Call of the Wild to Louis Bond, owner of mixed-breed Buck, acknowledging the basis for the fictional Buck. "Dear Louis Bond - Here is the book that never would have been written if you had not gone to Klondike in 1897 and taken Buck along with you. In fond memory of Sour Dough days, Jack London." Sold for $8,125 at PBA Galleries following an estimate of $200 - $300.

Kahlil Gibran sketch

Original signed pencil sketch of a face with closed eyes by Lebanese-American artist and writer Kahlil Gibran on an off-white 6.75 x 10 sheet, signed and inscribed in the lower right corner to pioneering female journalist Marie Mattingly Meloney "To Missy with my love, Kahlil, 1928." Sold for $16,638 at RR Auction following an estimate of $800.