Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Jack Kerouac's Original 'On the Road' Scroll to Auction
Jack Kerouac wrote the first version of his famous book 'On the Road' on a very long scroll of paper.
He taped together many sheets so he wouldn’t have to stop typing.
This special scroll is going to be sold at an auction in New York on 12 March.
It’s part of a big collection of important things owned by Jim Irsay.
Some people think it should be in a public place where everyone can see it, not just kept by a private owner.
Before the auction, people can see the scroll and other cool items like Paul McCartney’s song lyrics and Sylvester Stallone’s notes for the 'Rocky' movies.
Jack Kerouac's original 37-metre-long scroll of 'On the Road' will be auctioned in New York on 12 March.
The scroll is part of the Jim Irsay Collection, one of the world’s largest private collections of cultural memorabilia.
Kerouac typed the first draft of 'On the Road' on the scroll in a three-week burst in April 1951.
The scroll is considered the most iconic artefact of the Beat Generation and will be displayed publicly from 6-12 March.
There is debate about whether the scroll should be owned by a public institution or a private buyer.
- Who
- Jack Kerouac, Jim Irsay, Carolyn Cassady, Heather Weintraub
- What
- Auction of Jack Kerouac's original 'On the Road' scroll
- When
- 12 March, with public display from 6-12 March
- Where
- New York, at Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza
- Why
- Part of the sale of items from the Jim Irsay Collection, one of the world’s largest private collections of cultural memorabilia
- Item
- Original scroll of 'On the Road'
- Length
- 37 metres
- Auction Date
- 12 March
- Location
- New York
- Collection
- Jim Irsay Collection
- Public Display
- 6-12 March at Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza
- Other Highlights
- Paul McCartney’s 'Hey Jude' lyrics, Beatles’ break-up papers, Sylvester Stallone’s 'Rocky' notes, Jim Morrison’s journal