Our Jack London Number
By Arthur H. Chamberlain
Frequently during past years we have considered a Jack London issue of Overland Monthly. Numerous letters from London's admirers come to our desk urging such a number and asking that we re-publish those stories of his that first appeared in our columns. Recently we discussed the matter with a literary group, and on November 10 last received from Celeste G. Murphy, well-known writer and newspaper woman of Sonoma, a letter from which we quote:
"Would your magazine consider a Jack London Number with material and copy supplied by the Sonoma County Branch, American Pen Women? They are enthused over the idea, so write me your reaction."
Immediately the wheels were put in motion. The kindly assistance of Charmian London was gladly given, and her article entitled "My Husband—An Old Contributor" is a valuable contribution to the symposium. In this she brings out interesting sidelights on the life of the famous author and his early connection with Overland Monthly.
Edith Granger Hawkes, President of the Sonoma Branch of the American Pen Women, is represented in the number through a noteworthy article in which the life of London is sketched in admirable fashion. Celeste G. Murphy, Vice-President of the organization, refers interestingly to the "Valley of the Moon" and reveals the inner literary yearnings of Jack London through an intimate introduction of readers to his wonderful library. Nell Griffith Wilson tells of a pilgrimage to Jack's grave and honors him with some strong verse. "Treasures From the Snark's Cruise" is the suggestive title of an article by Byrd Weyler Kellogg, of the Press-Democrat and Santa Rosa Republican. There are notable poems by Sarah Hammond Kelly and Grace Monroe Davis, while the highly artistic sketches by Grace Griffith Allison add much to the value of the issue.
The various pictures of Jack London and his wife, Charmian London, will be appreciated by our readers. Charmian London, herself an author of wide fame, has to her credit such volumes as "The Log of the Snark, ""Our Hawaii," "The New Hawaii" and "The Book of Jack London," a biography in two volumes. These volumes are vividly descriptive and are widely read and do credit to the name of London.
To those who have made possible this Jack London Number, we extend our sincere thanks. Overland Monthly admits pardonable pride in the part it played in the unfoldment of the genius of that artist-craftsman, Jack London. And too, the magazine rejoices that it continues to have a part in perpetuating the memory and the work of one of California's foremost literary sons. It bows as well to Charmian London—she who, as wife, associate and successor, has achieved literary fame in her own right.
It has been thought proper to include in this symposium the first published story from London's pen, "To the Man On Trail," which appeared originally in the Overland Monthly of January, 1899. From that time until 1916, London contributed to magazines and periodicals some 350 articles and stories, and sent out to the world half a hundred volumes,—a record difficult to parallel.
