Description:

John Steinbeck
Bruton, Somerset, England, March 27, 1959
John Steinbeck Densely Packed Handwritten Letter Signed "love John"
ALS

John Steinbeck (1902-1968). Autograph Letter Signed, "John," 1p, densely penned in blue ballpoint on onion skin paper measuring 8" x 10", Bruton, Somerset, England, March 27, 1959. Expected folds and minor creasing. In near fine condition.

Steinbeck writes to his typist Mary Morgan from his cottage in the hamlet of Discove, where he was working on his retelling of the Arthurian legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In part: "Your long and amusing letter arrived this morning. What a joy of a job! Please remember every detail for retelling to me. It should be fun! May I give you a bit of advice out of my own experience? During the war certain generals used to ask me to look over their speeches to be broadcast and wanted them put in my hands, an illiterate fuzzy headed mess. I wanted them to completely rewrite it so that the finished product had no relation to the original. But I soon learned that this had to be my secret. I had to tell the generals that I found very little to change - just a word here and there. And do you know, they believed it? They actually thought they had written it even when they couldn't pronounce it. I don't know whether you should tell miss Blondell this or not. A publisher will soon enough.

The use of a pseudonym and other names is no defense against libel action if the people and events are in any way recognizable. Besides, a libel suit is rarely won in America but it costs a hell of a lot to defend yourself. And people sometimes pay off rather than defend...This morning I find to my horror that I have lost my favorite ball point working pen. Will you help me with this. It is a Cross - an all metal pen and I use a fine line. They even come in gold color and steel colors. I want the steel color. Would you go to Jackson's and get two of them with four refills. They should be labelled 'unsolicited gift' and should come to me here by air mail. Do you mind? I love them because they are so thin and because they write better than any others.

Your beautiful gift sent to the ship was saved. Carrying caviar and foie gras to the Liberte is like you know what. So we saved it. And two nights ago we had the lord of the manor and his wife for drinks. It was delicious and assures we are in very solid with them. They may not have tasted such things since long before the war, if ever. Thanks to you, we can have anything we wish now.

The work moves slowly and surely along. I hate to say this as claimant but I think the best writing I have ever done. However, I may be alone in this. / It occurs to me that you might like a letter of recommendation to Miss Blondell and I enclose one. I remember the inscription but what would you do if someone sent a book by chauffeur. / Let me know anything that happens, but type it on their paper and on her time. / love John."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Medium: ALS

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