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Lot 94
STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Manuscript, titled "Sag Harbor Saga / Notes on the questionable art of the novel," 1 p, legal folio,
4 June 2014, 13:00 EDT
New YorkUS$2,500 - US$3,500
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STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968.
Autograph Manuscript, titled "Sag Harbor Saga / Notes on the questionable art of the novel," 1 p, legal folio, [Sag Harbor, NY, 1953 or later], paper yellowed, small chip to upper right corner.
Provenance: the descendants of Ernest Martin.
"ON THE QUESTIONABLE ART OF THE NOVEL," AN APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED FRAGMENT ON THE PROCESS OF WRITING. Steinbeck's notes include that the novel is more realistic than life as nearly all real lives are "fog bound, dream infested swamps of unreality"; that WWII developed many fine reporters who cannot write novels; and a spoof of a struggling writer, "These words of inflammable wisdom are addressed to you, Romanie. If you are in danger of capture, chew this page up and swallow it...."
Provenance: the descendants of Ernest Martin.
"ON THE QUESTIONABLE ART OF THE NOVEL," AN APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED FRAGMENT ON THE PROCESS OF WRITING. Steinbeck's notes include that the novel is more realistic than life as nearly all real lives are "fog bound, dream infested swamps of unreality"; that WWII developed many fine reporters who cannot write novels; and a spoof of a struggling writer, "These words of inflammable wisdom are addressed to you, Romanie. If you are in danger of capture, chew this page up and swallow it...."

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