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![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. image 1](/_next/image.jpg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg2.bonhams.com%2Fimage%3Fsrc%3DImages%2Flive%2F2023-08%2F25%2F25339857-41-7.jpeg&w=2400&q=75)
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Lot 84
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.
25 October 2023, 14:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$3,584 inc. premium
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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.
"SHE SHAL BE RIGHT SYR MAYRIE STYNEBEK OF THE VAYLE SALYNIS...."
One of the most important literary antecedents of John Steinbeck's work is Malory's le Morte d'Arthur. As a child, Steinbeck read his copy faithfully, and he and his baby sister Mary (and their friend Glenn Graves) spent hours reenacting the noble acts of King Arthur and his court at their home in Salinas. Steinbeck found Morte d'Arthur compelling throughout his life, and even produced a retelling of the Malory story, The Acts of King Arthur and Noble Knights, published posthumously in 1976. Steinbeck worked on the book from 1956 to 1959 before putting it aside, never to return to the project. It was only after his death that his widow Elaine reread the manuscript and decided that it was worthy of publication.
The present item is a wrought-iron sword and calligraphic manuscript given by Steinbeck to his sister Mary, likely after 1958 (he sent her an earlier version of the manuscript in a letter dated March 1, 1958, see lot 89), when Steinbeck was deep into the Acts of King Arthur project. The manuscript, written in Middle English with a calligraphic hand, seeks to right a wrong from childhood: the failure of Steinbeck to fully recognize his sister's bravery and grant her a "knighthood."
The manuscript is reproduced as preliminary material for Acts of King Arthur opposite a transcription and translation that reads:
"When of IX wynter age
I toke siege with Kynge Arthures felyship eemong knyghtes most orgulus and worshyppful as ony on lyve
In tho dayes grate lack was of squyres of hardynesse and noble herte to bere shylde and glaive to bockle harnyss and succoure wounded knyghtes
Than yt chaunced that squyre-lyke dutyes felle to my systur of VI wyntre age that for jantyl prouess had no felawe leyvyng
Yt haps somtymes in saddnesse and pytie that who faythfull servyes ys not feythful seen so my fayre and sikker systir-squyre dures yet undubbed
Wherefore thus daye I mak amendys to my power and rayse hir knyghte and gyff her londis
And fro thys hower she shal be right Syr Mayrie Stynebek of the Vayle Salynis
God gyvve hir worshypp saunz jauypardye.
Jehan Stynebec de Montray / Miles."
The book continues with a translation into modern English:
"When I was 9 I took siege with King Arthur's fellowship of knights most proud and worshipful as any alive. —In those days there was a great lack of hardy and noble-hearted squires to bear shield and sword, to buckle harness, and to succor wounded knights. —Then it chanced that squire-like duties fell to my sister of six years that for gentle prowess had no peer living. —It happens sometimes in sadness and pity that who faithful serves is not appreciated, so my fair and faithful sister-squire remained unrecognized as squire. —Wherefore this day I make amends within my power and raise her to knighthood and give her praise. —And from this hour she shall be called Sir Marie Steinbeck of Salinas Valley. —God give her worship without peril.
John Steinbeck of Monterey / Knight."
"SHE SHAL BE RIGHT SYR MAYRIE STYNEBEK OF THE VAYLE SALYNIS...."
One of the most important literary antecedents of John Steinbeck's work is Malory's le Morte d'Arthur. As a child, Steinbeck read his copy faithfully, and he and his baby sister Mary (and their friend Glenn Graves) spent hours reenacting the noble acts of King Arthur and his court at their home in Salinas. Steinbeck found Morte d'Arthur compelling throughout his life, and even produced a retelling of the Malory story, The Acts of King Arthur and Noble Knights, published posthumously in 1976. Steinbeck worked on the book from 1956 to 1959 before putting it aside, never to return to the project. It was only after his death that his widow Elaine reread the manuscript and decided that it was worthy of publication.
The present item is a wrought-iron sword and calligraphic manuscript given by Steinbeck to his sister Mary, likely after 1958 (he sent her an earlier version of the manuscript in a letter dated March 1, 1958, see lot 89), when Steinbeck was deep into the Acts of King Arthur project. The manuscript, written in Middle English with a calligraphic hand, seeks to right a wrong from childhood: the failure of Steinbeck to fully recognize his sister's bravery and grant her a "knighthood."
The manuscript is reproduced as preliminary material for Acts of King Arthur opposite a transcription and translation that reads:
"When of IX wynter age
I toke siege with Kynge Arthures felyship eemong knyghtes most orgulus and worshyppful as ony on lyve
In tho dayes grate lack was of squyres of hardynesse and noble herte to bere shylde and glaive to bockle harnyss and succoure wounded knyghtes
Than yt chaunced that squyre-lyke dutyes felle to my systur of VI wyntre age that for jantyl prouess had no felawe leyvyng
Yt haps somtymes in saddnesse and pytie that who faythfull servyes ys not feythful seen so my fayre and sikker systir-squyre dures yet undubbed
Wherefore thus daye I mak amendys to my power and rayse hir knyghte and gyff her londis
And fro thys hower she shal be right Syr Mayrie Stynebek of the Vayle Salynis
God gyvve hir worshypp saunz jauypardye.
Jehan Stynebec de Montray / Miles."
The book continues with a translation into modern English:
"When I was 9 I took siege with King Arthur's fellowship of knights most proud and worshipful as any alive. —In those days there was a great lack of hardy and noble-hearted squires to bear shield and sword, to buckle harness, and to succor wounded knights. —Then it chanced that squire-like duties fell to my sister of six years that for gentle prowess had no peer living. —It happens sometimes in sadness and pity that who faithful serves is not appreciated, so my fair and faithful sister-squire remained unrecognized as squire. —Wherefore this day I make amends within my power and raise her to knighthood and give her praise. —And from this hour she shall be called Sir Marie Steinbeck of Salinas Valley. —God give her worship without peril.
John Steinbeck of Monterey / Knight."