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Lot 305

STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968.
Typed Document Signed ("John Steinbeck") appointing Elizabeth Otis his "true and lawful attorney,"

5 December 2019, 10:00 EST
New York

US$1,200 - US$1,800

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STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968.

Typed Document Signed ("John Steinbeck") appointing Elizabeth Otis his "true and lawful attorney," 2 pp, carbon copy, rectos only, legal folio (329 x 215 mm), New York, February 26, 1959, countersigned by Richard A. Coven, notary public, leaves creased and toned, staple perforations to upper left corner.

Elizabeth Otis was Steinbeck's friend and agent for nearly 40 years, and his most frequent correspondent. She "encouraged, counseled, and criticized John Steinbeck during most of his career. He followed her advice in most instances relating to his work and the letters reveal that she was a sounding board for Steinbeck's thoughts on nearly all subjects" (Introduction, Letters to Elizabeth, San Francisco, 1978). Steinbeck was convinced that his political views had led J. Edgar Hoover to order a constant barrage of IRS audits throughout his career, and he here appoints Ms. Otis as his attorney to oversee his taxes.

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