Christie's will auction Jack Kerouac's original, 37-meter-long, first-draft scroll of On the Road in March. This unique manuscript, a defining artifact of the Beat Generation, is expected to fetch between $2.5 and $4 million. The scroll, typed in a three-week burst, offers a raw, unedited glimpse into Kerouac's creative process and remains a vital piece of American literary history.

The scroll is part of the Jim Irsay Collection, known for its extensive music, literary, and sports memorabilia. It includes the original typescript of Kerouac’s *The Dharma Bums*. The auction has sparked debate, mirroring a 2001 controversy when Carolyn Cassady, whose husband inspired a character, argued for public access. The scroll's sale highlights the enduring value of literary artifacts.

The manuscript's sale underscores the ongoing interest in Beat literature and its cultural impact. The scroll's unedited nature, lacking chapters and paragraphs, offers a unique insight into the novel's creation. The auction will be held in New York on March 12th. Nearly 400 items from the Irsay Collection will be on public display prior to the auction.

Ultimately, the auction raises questions about the accessibility of such important cultural items. The fact that a private collector may obtain the scroll conflicts with the wishes of some who feel that such a piece should be available for the public to view. Whether it lands in a public institution or private collection, the sale will be a landmark event.