Manuscript could leave University, go 'On the Road' again

Would you pay more than $2 million for your favorite book? \nJim Irsay did. \nLast summer, the Indianapolis Colts' owner purchased Jack Kerouac's original manuscript of the legendary Beat classic "On the Road." \nIrsay paid more for the manuscript -- which is currently in a temperature-controlled room in the Lilly Library -- than any other literary work ever sold. In fact, it was $1 million more than the listed value furnished by the auction house Christie's. \nSo why pay this amount? The story behind the acquisition and what Irsay plans to do with the manuscript reveal a deeper meaning behind Irsay's purchase -- a glimpse into the power and value of those works that move the human spirit. \nThe scroll, as it's known, is several long sheets of paper taped together. Kerouac did this in order to avoid stopping his typing to insert a new page into the typewriter every time a sheet filled up with words. The writer wanted to use this way of typing in order to facilitate his new style of writing, known as spontaneous prose.\nIn fact, the spontaneity stretched into the way in which the manuscript was written -- a 20-day non-stop marathon in 1951. The scroll came to be regarded as the crown jewel of Beat literature, the epitome of that group's new forms and styles of writing. \nFast forward to the summer of 1976 when a kid from Chicago first reads the book. The wild form of the novel and the power of the writing forever influenced the young man. That man is Irsay, the same man that would eventually own the original version. \nFor Irsay, the book "was just something you had to read …a cultural inheritance." \nA fan of the Beats, as well as Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas, Irsay is not what you consider to be your typical pro football team owner. \n"I'm more comfortable with a pen in my hand, than a guitar or a football," Irsay said. \nHis closest friends include a roster of important American writers, including Cameron Crowe and Hunter S. Thompson. A published poet, Irsay feels a kinship and respect for writers "as true artists." Thus, when Kerouac's scroll came up for auction, he knew he had to have it. \nBut the reasons for his purchase were not just personal. An element of stewardship pervaded. Irsay didn't want to see the manuscript tucked away and hidden for some private party's personal use. The scroll had too much of a social value for that to happen. \nAnd there was some speculation that a buyer might take it out of the country -- a notion that Irsay felt ran against its value as an "Americana" artifact.\n"I went there to get it …and I don't think I would have been outbid that day," he said. And he wasn't. \nWith the scroll now in his possession, he has the ultimate design of a public exhibition, with the hopes of displaying it unrolled at the full 120 feet. (Actually, just over 119 feet -- an editor's dog bit off part of the manuscript). \nThere are future plans to take the manuscript on a tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original publishing of "On the Road." The tour would be similar to Kerouac's original wandering as he zig-zagged across the country in the novel. For Irsay, there are big plans for the scroll, most of which aim to benefit all fans of Kerouac's novel. \nFor the moment, the scroll rests at IU.\n"We're happy it's here," said Breon Mitchell, Director of the Lilly Library. Mitchell said the manuscript has undergone a condition report that revealed that the scroll was fragile and needed some conservation work. \nMitchell also mentioned that despite the brittle paper used by Kerouac, the scroll is in relatively decent shape. Mitchell also said the original plan was to hold a public exhibition of the scroll in Bloomington. But given the recent statements by Irsay, he was not certain of a date. Those statements have placed the future whereabouts of the scroll in question. \nIn early October, Irsay announced a plan to use the manuscript to raise $2.5 million for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Though the specifics of a fundraising plan have not been established, Irsay hopes an organization like a library will participate in the fundraising effort. That organization would then get Kerouac's scroll and the money would go to the victims.\nInitially, there was an effort to seek out participation with the New York Public Library. But Irsay also said the Lilly Library is "a real possibility." \nAside from the specifics of any plan, there is an edge to this endeavor that cuts against many Hoosiers and IU students who want to see the manuscript remain here. Having the scroll's home in Bloomington is an attractive prospect, and so a whisper of criticism has arisen that the plan may be inappropriate, that the focus should just be to raise money for the victims and leave the manuscript out of it. \nBut Irsay handles these concerns by sticking to his personal aims. \n"People can say what they want, but I'm diligently looking to help those people (in the attacks)," he said. "I was in New York about 22 hours before the attack and I'd just gotten out in time and I've just been kind of moved and humbled -- almost like I think the reason I got (the scroll) was to give it away and raise money for the victims."\nIrsay also mentioned that wherever the manuscript went, he'd try to make sure the organization would exhibit the manuscript around the country, as he intended when the scroll was purchased. \nIrsay, the guitar-playing NFL team owner who loves writing, is showing his love for that writing by giving away the crown jewel of Beat literature in order to help those in need. \nSo, Kerouac's scroll, much like the author, might be headed back on the road to a destination unknown. As for IU, it appears that the school will not be participating in any fundraising efforts to keep the scroll here in Bloomington. \nBeverly Byl, Development Officer for the libraries said there are "no plans at the moment to participate in any such fundraising." While noting that Irsay's efforts are certainly noble, she cited IU's responsibility as a non-profit organization to only raise money for the school -- an IRS requirement. \nMeanwhile, Irsay remains deeply committed to his goals of helping the victims and doing what's best for the book. \n"I'm on a Robin Hood mission," he said.