Correspondence #51: John Allen Cassady

Passing of Kerouac Scroll owner

Billionaire businessman Jim Irsay died on May 21st, 2025, aged 65. Almost a quarter of a century ago, he made Jack Kerouac’s On the Road Scroll the most valuable literary manuscript of the time when he bought the legendary document at auction. Neal Cassady’s son John pays tribute…

Email, May 22nd, 2025

Dear R&BG,

RIP Jim Irsay

The Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay purchased the original ‘Scroll’ manuscript of Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road for around $2.5 million in 2001.

Instead of keeping it at his home to show it off to his buddies, he asked another collector, Jim Canary, to take care of it for display around the World.

Jim had a special case made for it, and it was displayed in Lowell, MA, for the Jack Kerouac Centennial celebration at the annual Lowell Celebrates Kerouac there in 2022. Watch the outstanding performance by David Amram and Brian Hassett there in 2018. I found it on Facebook, I think (Brian pointed me out in the audience. Aw, shucks).

I never met Jim Irsay in person, but he certainly did a lot for my namesake, and for all of us ‘beatniks’ ’round the globe! (And beyond?).

So, let us ‘Keep the Beat!'

As ever,

John Allen Cassady