Description:

John Steinbeck
Sag Harbor, NY, August 13, 1964
Steinbeck Writes to a Journalist Friend With Praise for Broadway Producer Who Tried to Make a Musical of "Cannery Row"
ALS

John Steinbeck (1902-1968). Autograph Letter Signed, "John Steinbeck," 1p, on a red and blue bordered air mail postcard measuring 5.5" x 3.25", Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York, August 13, 1964. Postmarked same. A bit of expected creasing and minor edge wear. Toning and light scattered foxing. In fine condition and boldly written.

Steinbeck writes to Ed Sheehan of Honolulu, Hawaii, in full: "I have your letter of July 30 and find it fascinating. Of course I am sensible of Martin's compliments. If I can write for the Martins of this world the confusions of the Geismars fade into nonsense. But more than anything I would like to go with you to South Kona to sit still and see whether Martin would appear or remain invisible. In the past I have been fairly successful with kakus [a species of barracuda] but never of the Hawaiian breed. Again, thanks for your letter."

Ed Sheehan was a Hawaiian author and columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and a longtime friend of Steinbeck about whom he sometimes wrote. Ernest Harold Martin was a successful Broadway producer who won Tony Awards for Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He and Steinbeck had tried for years to produce a musical comedy version of Steinbeck's Cannery Row, without success. Maxwell David Geismar was an author, literary critic, and biographer whose 1942 book Writers in Crisis gave his not-always-flattering analysis of Steinbeck, Faulkner, and Hemingway.

Steinbeck's Cannery Row (1945) is set during the Great Depression in Monterey, California, on a street lined with sardine canneries, and the story revolves around the people living there. Although the street was officially named "Ocean View Avenue," it had been called "Cannery Row" since World War I. In honor of Steinbeck, in 1958, the street was formally renamed "Cannery Row." Despite the lack of success Steinbeck and Martin had with turning the novel into a show, their vision was finally realized; in 1982, a film version was released, and in 1995, a stage version was produced.

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: 5.5" x 3.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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