Description:

John Steinbeck
Somerset, England, March 26, [1959]
John Steinbeck Playful Autograph Letter Twice Signed to His Typist "M.M."
ALS

John Steinbeck (1902-1968). Autograph Letter Signed, "John," 1p, on a blue Air Mail "Air Letter" measuring 8" x 9.5", Bruton, Somerset, England, March 26, [n.y.] but 1959 based on postmark. Integral address panel completed entirely in Steinbeck's hand and signed a second time by him as "John Steinbeck." 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. His warm and engaging letter opens with a quote from "Canterbury Tales," referencing the month of March giving way to the showers of April and the blossoming of spring.

In full: "Dear M.M: Whan that Aprille wit his shoures soute the draugh of March has perced to the rote - etc. Dear Mary: This is really proper country to do my work. I had thought not to start for at least a month but it has started already, sweetly and quietly as it should: Are you there? (telephone type talk) Now - it is in handwriting but will be as clear as I can make it. One thing has worried me. There is only one copy and if it should get lost, there is no second. But I have just thought of an answer. London is sending me a tape recorder. Before I send you the ms. I will read it on tape and that will be my copy. Then, when you have received the manuscript, and advised me, I can scrub the tape and do some more on it. You still want to do it, don't you?

Did Thom ever take the table and the typewriter to you? I have never heard from him. It is about time for him to be back in school. If he did not, will you get someone to help you take them to your house? When I send copy, I will also send instructions about how to type it. Now that's all the business.

How are you? How is your love life. How's Jennifer? The Beechers? How are you? If you are near my house will you please look on my address wheel and send me the address of Frank Laesser and also of Leslie S. Brady in Washington. He may be listed as Lee Brady. How are you? I am fine. Elaine is having the time of her life. She helped clean the Bruton church, a 13th century Perp. Her favorite kind. She scrounged out the ears of the reclining figures on the tombs and I believe opened the ones dusted off the bone. She denies this.

From my little work room I look out over fields and meadows and hills and forest. A few houses are in sight but there is absolutely nothing that wasn't there in the 15th century, except some new cows. So you see why this is such a good place to work. Please write - write please. Please to write. Would that you might write. Want to hear my first English aphorism? It goes - 'If there were no such things as Brussel sprouts, the British would have had to invent them.' Love and I do wish you would write. Yours, 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 9.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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