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John Steinbeck

The Mary Steinbeck Dekker Family Collection
25 October 2023 | starting at 14:00 EDT
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TORTILLA FLAT INSCRIBED TO STEINBECK'S LITTLE SISTER, MARY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Tortilla Flat. New York: Covici Friede, 1935.TORTILLA FLAT INSCRIBED TO STEINBECK'S LITTLE SISTER, MARY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Tortilla Flat. New York: Covici Friede, 1935.. Sold for US$57,600 inc. premium
THE PASTURES OF HEAVEN INSCRIBED BY STEINBECK TO HIS LITTLE SISTER, MARY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Pastures of Heaven. New York: Brewer, Warren & Putnam, 1932.THE PASTURES OF HEAVEN INSCRIBED BY STEINBECK TO HIS LITTLE SISTER, MARY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Pastures of Heaven. New York: Brewer, Warren & Putnam, 1932.. Sold for US$32,000 inc. premium
STEINBECK'S FIRST NOVEL INSCRIBED TO HIS PARENTS. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Cup of Gold. New York: Robert McBride & Co, 1929.STEINBECK'S FIRST NOVEL INSCRIBED TO HIS PARENTS. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Cup of Gold. New York: Robert McBride & Co, 1929.. Sold for US$15,360 inc. premium
"I THINK IT IS PRETTY GOOD": UNBOUND GALLEY PROOFS OF EAST OF EDEN. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. East of Eden. [New York: The Viking Press, 1952.]"I THINK IT IS PRETTY GOOD": UNBOUND GALLEY PROOFS OF EAST OF EDEN. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. East of Eden. [New York: The Viking Press, 1952.]. Sold for US$7,680 inc. premium
FINE COPY OF THE GRAPES OF WRATH. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Viking Press, 1939.FINE COPY OF THE GRAPES OF WRATH. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Viking Press, 1939.. Sold for US$6,400 inc. premium
ED RICKETTS' PRESENTATION COPY OF SAINT KATY THE VIRGIN. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Saint Katy the Virgin. New York: Covici Friede, 1936.ED RICKETTS' PRESENTATION COPY OF SAINT KATY THE VIRGIN. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Saint Katy the Virgin. New York: Covici Friede, 1936.. Sold for US$4,864 inc. premium

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SIGNED COPY OF THE RED PONY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968; and WESLEY DENNIS, illus. 1903-1966. The Red Pony. New York: Viking Press, 1945.
TYPESCRIPT OF "THE WIZARD OF MAINE." STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Typed carbon, titled "The Wizard of Maine" a story by John Steinbeck (as an outline for a musical comedy),"
ORIGINAL DRAFT OUTLINE FOR A FILM OF THE WAYWARD BUS—EL CAMION VACILADOR. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Typed Manuscript with Annotations, "El Camion Vacilador / Creditos por John Steinbeck / Historia para la pantalla por John Steinbeck y Jack Wagner" ["y John Wagner" crossed out, and rewritten as "Jack Wagner" in Steinbeck's hand], in Spanish, 4 pp, 4to, n.p., [1945], carbon copy on onion skin,
STEINBECK ON THE WRITING PROCESS. Autograph Letter Signed ("John") to his sister Mary telling her "one way to write a play or a novel or a short story," 2 pp recto and verso, legal folio, on yellow foolscap, [New York, July 20, 1946],
TALL GALLEY PROOF OF THE PEARL. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Pearl. New York: The Viking Press, 1947.
PRESENTATION COPY FOR DAVE AND JOAN HEYLER. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Pearl. New York: The Viking Press, 1947.
THE PEARL ANNOTATED BY ELAINE STEINBECK. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Pearl. New York: The Viking Press, 1947.
STEINBECK'S RUSSIAN JOURNAL. Autograph Manuscript, being his daybook recording of his 1947 journey through Russia, Ukraine and Georgia with Robert Capa, a complete record of the trip that would become A Russian Journal,
A RUSSIAN JOURNAL INSCRIBED TO THE HEYLERS. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. A Russian Journal. New York: The Viking Press, 1948.
STEINBECK BEGINS TO WRITE EAST OF EDEN. Autograph Letter Signed ("John") to his sister Mary about his preparations to write "my huge book about the Salinas Valley," 2 pp, 4to, New York, May 1, [1948], on personal letterhead,
GALLEY PROOFS OF STEINBECK ARTICLES. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. 1. "His Father." Reader's Digest (July 1947). Marked "first proof." 4to. 3 pp. Staple bound at upper left. Annotated in pencil by Steinbeck throughout. WITH:
A HEARTBREAKING DRAFT OF A JOHN STEINBECK LETTER TO HIS SONS. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Manuscript, draft of letter to his two sons, 1 p, legal folio, January 5, 1949,
"I DON'T SUPPOSE ANYONE EVER SO HATED A YEAR AS I HATED 1948...": STEINBECK'S JOURNAL FOR 1949. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Manuscript being his personal journal for 1949 detailing his despair at the end of his marriage and the long journey to writing again, culminating in his meeting Elaine Scott with Ann Sothern in May,
PULP COVER FOR AN EDITION OF CUP OF GOLD. Cup of Gold. Printed cover, 164 x 120 mm, for Popular Library title 216, together with Typed Letter Signed ("Pat") of Pat Covici, 1 p, 8vo, New York, September 30, 1949, to John Steinbeck, on Viking Press letterhead, sending the cover for review,
SOUP TO NUTS: ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS, GALLEYS AND PUBLISHED VERSION OF BURNING BRIGHT. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. This lot includes every iteration of Burning Bright before publication, from the original handwritten draft to the submitted typescript to several versions of galley proofs and, finally, a custom-bound copy of the final printed version, as follows:
TRIAL DUST WRAPPER FOR BURNING BRIGHT. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. In the Forests of the Night. New York: The Viking Press, [1950].
ON ELAINE'S GIFT TO JOHN AT THE PREMIERE OF BURNING BRIGHT. Autograph Note Signed ("John"), on the verso of a mount for a silver gelatin print image of a Steuben Glass piece inscribed "Tiger Tiger Burning Bright / In the Forests of the Night,"
DICTAPHONE RECORDINGS BY JOHN STEINBECK. A collection of SoundScriber discs, 1940s-50s, as follows:
STEINBECK'S WORKING DRAFT OF THE ZAPATA SCREENPLAY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Mimeographed Manuscript with Annotations, "Zapata / Screenplay by John Steinbeck" marked second revised screenplay, 132 pp, 4to, n.p., January 24, 1951, bound with brads and housed in plain blue wrappers with mimeo text to upper cover, annotations by Steinbeck in blue ink throughout,
THE LOG FROM THE SEA OF CORTEZ INSCRIBED TO MARY STEINBECK DEKKER. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Log from the Sea of Cortez. New York: The Viking Press, 1951.
STEINBECK FINISHES EAST OF EDEN. Autograph Letter Signed ("John"), to his sister Mary upon the (near) completion of East of Eden, 2 pp recto and verso, legal folio, on yellow foolscap, [New York], October 18, [1951], with original transmittal envelope,
"I THINK IT IS PRETTY GOOD": UNBOUND GALLEY PROOFS OF EAST OF EDEN. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. East of Eden. [New York: The Viking Press, 1952.]
DELUXE EDITION OF EAST OF EDEN. East of Eden. New York: The Viking Press, 1952.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR... WITH PRESENTATION ENVELOPE, SIGNED. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Chapter Thirty-Four from the Novel East of Eden. Bronxville, NY: Valenti Angelo, 1952.
UNPUBLISHED STEINBECK ESSAY ON WHAT SEPARATES MAN FROM THE BEASTS. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Manuscript, "two and one half theories to explain man's superiority over other life forms on our planet," in pencil, 5 pp, 4to, n.p., c.1953, on three-hole lined foolscap,
"BROADCAST TO PRAGUE": JOHN STEINBECK REIMAGINES THE GOOD SOLDIER SCHWEIK. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Manuscript titled "Broadcast to Prague / Good Socialist Citizen Schweik," 5 pp, legal folio, n.p., [1953], in pencil on yellow foolscap,
JOHN STEINBECK'S PREFACE TO HIS SHORT NOVELS.... STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Manuscript, an early draft of the "Preface" to The Short Novels of John Steinbeck, collected as "My Short Novels," 4 pp (lacking final leaf), folio, [c.1953], in pencil on yellow foolscap,
STEINBECK ON HEMINGWAY'S PLANE CRASH. Autograph Letter Signed ("John") to his sister Mary discussing the news that Hemingway's plane is down, 2 pp recto and verso, on three-hole foolscap, 4to, Caneel Bay V.I. / St John, January 26, 1954,
STEINBECK'S WORKING COPY OF PIPE DREAM. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Mimeographed Manuscript with Annotations, "Pipe Dream, Based on 'Sweet Thursday' by John Steinbeck / Music by Richard Rodgers / Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, 2nd," 188 pp, 4to, [n.p., n.d. but 1955], both Act I and Act II scenes tabbed throughout,
ANNOTATED TYPESCRIPT OF "THE SUMMER BEFORE." STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Typed Manuscript with Annotations, "The Summer Before," 13 pp, 4to, n.p., n.d. (but c.1955), pp 2-13 are typed carbons with offset from the carbon sheet,
PIPPIN UNREVISED PROOFS INSCRIBED TO RHODE ISLAND BOOKSELLER, ELSIE CLOUGH. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Short Reign of Pippin IV. New York: The Viking Press, [1957].
PIPPIN IV INSCRIBED TO SISTER MARY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Short Reign of Pippin IV. New York: The Viking Press, 1957.
IMPRINTS INSCRIBED TO JOHN STEINBECK BY DAG HAMMARSKJOLD AND SAMUEL MORISON. 2 items:
STEINBECK ON HIS DISCOVERY OF MALORY AND READING. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Letter Signed ("John"), to his sister regarding his King Arthur project and the importance of Malory in his youth, 4 pp recto and verso, legal folio, on yellow foolscap, [New York], January 18, 1957,
STEINBECK AND THE ACTS OF KING ARTHUR DEDICATION. Autograph Letter Signed ("John") to his sister Mary sending her a copy of the dedication page to his Acts of King Arthur, 2 pp recto and verso, legal folio, on yellow foolscap, [New York, March 1, 1958], with additional typed carbon of the dedication in middle English
AN ARTHURIAN SWORD PRESENTED BY JOHN STEINBECK TO HIS SISTER, MARY, TOGETHER WITH HER "KNIGHTHOOD INVESTITURE." Arthurian-style sword, hammered metal and braid, 1140 x 155 mm. WITH: calligraphic manuscript executed in red and black ink, 1 p, 495 x 460 mm, [New York, 1958,] featuring a message from Steinbeck to his sister Mary, framed.
ON THE WISDOM OF HAPPINESS AND HIS PLACE IN LITERARY HISTORY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph Letter Signed ("John"), to his sister Mary after her surgery for cancer, contemplating the meaning of life and his legacy,
STEINBECK'S NOBEL PRIZE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Speech Accepting the Nobel Prize for Literature. New York: The Viking Press, [1962].
THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT INSCRIBED TO DAVE HEYLER. The Winter of Our Discontent. New York: The Viking Press, 1961.
A GRIEVING STEINBECK ON THE DEATH OF MARY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Typed Letter Signed ("John"), with minimal annotations, to his sisters Esther and Beth after the death of their sister Mary, 3 pp, 4to, New York, January 26, 1965,
MASSIVE ARCHIVE OF CORRESPONDENCE FROM JOHN STEINBECK AND HIS SISTER MARY AND FAMILY. 377 letters and postcards, most autograph but probably a quarter typed (particularly some of the later letters), from John Steinbeck to his younger sister Mary Steinbeck Dekker and other family members, discussing both personal and professional milestones over the decades,
TYPESCRIPT OF AMERICA AND AMERICANS. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Typed Carbon, "America and the Americans by John Steinbeck," 146 pp, 4to, n.p., [1966], housed in brown paper clamp folder annotated on upper cover by Steinbeck "Second carbon / of / Second typescript,"
DELUXE COPY OF STEINBECK'S LAST BOOK PUBLISHED IN HIS LIFETIME. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. America and Americans. New York: The Viking Press, 1966.
GALLEY PROOFS AND DELUXE EDITION OF JOURNAL OF A NOVEL. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Journal of a Novel. [New York: The Viking Press, 1969.]
UNCORRECTED PROOF OF THE ACTS OF KING ARTHUR. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976.
FROM THE LIBRARY OF JOHN STEINBECK. 6 titles:
HEYLER COLLECTION OF STEINBECK FIRST EDITIONS. Approx. 332 volumes of Steinbeck titles in English, including many first editions, collected by David Heyler over the years, as follows:
STEINBECK'S PERIODICAL APPEARANCES. This lot features 73 separate issues of various periodicals (a few duplicates present) containing writing by or about John Steinbeck, some portion of the whole collected by Steinbeck himself or by his nephew-in-law David Heyler.
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