Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

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 York

US$2,500 - US$3,500

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Books & Manuscripts specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

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"ON THE QUESTIONABLE ART OF THE NOVEL," AN APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED FRAGMENT ON THE PROCESS OF WRITING.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...."

Additional information

Bid now on these items

ADVERTISING POSTERfor 'The Suffragette' newspaper, [c.1913-1914]

ILLUMINATED ADDRESS – CLARA CODD Illuminated printed address signed by Emmeline Pankhurst, [1909]

MUSIC & RECORDINGS – ETHEL SMYTH Collection of printed music, song sheets and records, [c.1911-1912]

SUFFRAGETTE INSIGNIA - SPEAKER Speaker's ribbon for the Great 'Women's Sunday' Demonstration in Hyde Park, 21 June 1908

SUFFRAGETTE INSIGNIA - GROUP CAPTAIN Group Captain's ribbon, [1908]

'WOMEN'S SUNDAY' SASH 1908 Marshal's sash, 1908