Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 118

The Nov 14-15, 2020 Collectibles Auction

American Authors

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 119		Steinbeck John -- TLS "Self-Conscious" Request Recommending a Friend For Employment at the Historic Holman's Dept Store in Pacific Grove, CA (1902-1968) Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winning American author who wrote 33 books and is considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20th Century. Some of his best-known works are "The Grapes of Wrath", "Tortilla Flats", "Cannery Row", "Of Mice and Men" and "East of Eden." Typed letter signed, one page, 11 x 8½", Los Gatos, California, March 10, 1938. With original transmittal envelope. To Mrs. W.R. Holman (Zena Holman, wife of Wilfred Rensselar Holman) a storied, historic department store that started humbly as a dry goods store and then in 1924, the family built a huge store, a building that still exists today as condominiums. As this was a family business, John Steinbeck has written to her recommending a close friend for their art department. This letter evidently began a lasting casual friendship (note the other letters in this auction by Steinbeck.) What is noteworthy is Steinbeck's humility and self-deprecating humor. He writes "I feel a little self conscious in writing to you in as much as I have never met you…….And I do know that you knew my parents when they were living and you [an ink blot here blacks out letters] know of my work." He then writes enthusiastically about his friend, Ritchie Lovejoy and concludes: "There I have done it and it was difficult because I have never done any such thing before. There must be rules for recommending a man to a job, but I have never learned them." He concludes, "In my own interest, may I thank you, Mrs. Holman for your interest in my work and for your efforts in creating an interest in my books on the Peninsula. I hope I many meet you some time." Signed in black fountain pen ink. An extremely fine example of Steinbeck's signature. The close friendship between Steinbeck and Lovejoy is common knowledge. Ritchie Lovejoy is the man to whom Steinbeck famously gave his $1000 Pulitzer Prize cash award. Logically partnered with this lot is a letter to Zena Holman by the very Ritchie Lovejoy Steinbeck recommended, postmarked August 7, 1941, three years later. He writes of a partially published piece for new writers that likely was "Between Pacific Tides" for which he created a great many line drawings. "Tides" is a classic work of marine biology, a favorite for generations; it has now been completely revised and expanded and in its 5th printing and Lovejoy is very much credited. He writes to Mrs. Holman who clearly reached out to him about seeing the partial publication in New York. Yes, Holman's Department Store hired Ritchie Lovejoy. Estimated Value $1,250 - UP The W. R. Holman Collection, Pacific Grove. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $660
Lot 120		Steinbeck, John -- 1948 ALS With Advice: "The best and truest criticisms come from good literary agents and publishers." (1902-1968) Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winning American author who authored 33 books and is considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20th Century. Some of his best-known works are "The Grapes of Wrath", "Tortilla Flats", "Cannery Row", "Of Mice and Men" and "East of Eden." Autograph letter written and signed in steel point fountain pen, black ink, one page, 14 x 8½", October 1948. Also signed on return address of envelope. To Zena Holman, wife of Wilfred Rensselar Holman of the historic Holman's Department Store in Pacific Grove, CA, who had sent Mr. Steinbeck a manuscript she had written for his "input". Steinbeck originally sent her a three-page letter as to why it is inappropriate for an author to give criticism to an unpublished work, most especially a freshman effort. In this second letter, sent almost a month later, he lets Holman know he is about to travel to Mexico for a month and to please "advise credit department not to worry about my account". He then actually gives criticism based on the brief glance he gave to her work: "It has to my mind the stiffness of sentence structure and the lack of ease that is the result of too little practice. Also the dialogue is not very convincing. However, dialogue is probably the most difficult writing of all. If you set down exactly what people say, it does not sound like talk at all. It is translating it into something that sounds like something people might say that is hard. The best and truest criticisms come from good literary agents and publishers." Fine condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP The W. R. Holman Collection, Pacific Grove. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,380
Lot 121		Steinbeck, John -- Outstanding Content 1948 ALS Addressing Zena Holman's Request ro Read a Manuscript She Wrote (1902-1968) Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winning American author who authored 33 books and is considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20th Century. Some of his best-known works are "The Grapes of Wrath", "Tortilla Flats", "Cannery Row", "Of Mice and Men" and "East of Eden." Autograph letter written and signed in pencil, 2pp. 14 x 11", Wednesday Sept. 1948. Original transmittal envelope included; Steinbeck also signed his name at upper left in return address. To Zena Holman, wife of Wilfred Rensselar Holman of the historic Holman's Department Store in Pacific Grove, CA, who was very active in the management of the store and who, through a letter of recommendation by John Steinbeck for his friend and published illustrator, Ritchie Lovejoy, became friends with the acclaimed writer. Written by Steinbeck ten years after their first correspondence and after the release of eight of his novels, including "The Grapes of Wrath" "Cannery Row and "The Pearl". With that knowledge, Zena Holman sent Mr. Steinbeck a manuscript she had written, asking for his "input". His response is a combination of gentle suggestion, candid advice and some amusement. The letter begins with Steinbeck apologizing for the delay and saying that by the charges on his account at Holman's she should note he has been doing "cottage improvements" (a bit of hubris that Holman would be aware of every charge) and that the open windows, due to paint smells, caused him a bad cold. In response to the manuscript: "Surely I will read your manuscript but against the advice of agents and publishers. The reasons professional writers will not read manuscripts are these and neither has anything to do with you.- or maybe the second has a little. It is a common practice for certain people (I am convinced they are groups) to reach out to established writers." Steinbeck then explains that plagiarism lawsuits happen with the correspondence creating a paper trail then quickly adds "this does not apply to you." Further into the letter Steinbeck addresses a slippery slope: "Now the only effect of criticism of unpublished work is destructive because through that, changes are indicated. But this kind of creative criticism is usually detested." He continues, "I said there were two but there are four reasons a friend and or acquaintance is incapable of good criticism since his judgment is warped by association. A thing should stand on its own. I would never think of showing work to some one I know or who knew me before it was published….there is no writer who is any good as a critic." He then closes frankly speaking on a number of issues regarding her request he writes, "If in the light of things you still want me to read your book, I will but the advantage to you will be practically non-existent. I don't know what publishers will buy. Neither do they. Writing is a trade and a craft like plumbing or printing or merchandising." (A kind nod to Holman's expertise.) "The possibility of your first book being good is very remote just as the possibility of opening a new store without training is remote. I'm writing this all to show you that this craft never gets easy and you never get used to it." Steinbeck closes with "This sounds like a lecture and I suppose it is. But I value the friendship of your family very highly. If you insist I will read the book if you want me to in light of what I have said. My head is reeling from the fever………following the chills. I shall hope to see you soon." Fine condition. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,320
Lot 122		Steinbeck, John -- TLS Making His Opinion of a Book-Signing Party Clear to Owner of Holman's Dept Store, 1938 - Immensely Entertaining (1902-1968) Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winning American author who authored 33 books and is considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20th Century. Some of his best-known works are "The Grapes of Wrath", "Tortilla Flats", "Cannery Row", "Of Mice and Men" and "East of Eden." Typed letter signed in very sharp pencil, 2pp. 11 x 8½", Mar. 14, 1838. With original, transmittal envelope. To Mrs. W. R. Holman (Zena Holman wife of Wilfred Rensselar Holman of the historic Holman's Department Store in Pacific Grove, CA), thanking her sincerely for writing him and hiring his close friend, artist and illustrator Ritchie Lovejoy (the letter of recommendation also offered in this auction). He invites her to come visit and to telephone for directions prior as it is "difficult to find." In the letter Holman sent to him thanking him for the recommendation of Ritchie Lovejoy, she clearly must have asked Steinbeck whether he would consider an "autograph party" at Holmon's Department Store. What follows is his hilarious distaste for such events: "You know if I ever had an autograph party, I would have to leave the country. I have never done it, have refused everyone from Brentano's on, on the ground that the proper work of a writer was to write…………….People who don't at all want to read books, want to listen to speeches. It's awful." Steinbeck then tears into the idea of signing autographs. "I shall never forget a terrible picture of Mr. Woolcott [clearly referencing Alexander Woolcott] with a fat pen in a chubby hand standing in back of a pile of books. There was a sweet social smile on his face (and knowing Mr. Woolcott) a string of black curses in his heart. And there he stood signing books with little phrases he had made up the night before. You know, I would rather sell fewer books." Steinbeck continues for another paragraph saying fans of an author might resent seeing a "writer of their liking who will jump through little literary hoops." He concludes on the second page, "It is a sore point, this tendency to make of writers little trick dogs. I think a book should do its own work without the writer acting as a ring master." He closes with another invitation to come visit and says that he is "sick" of two months of rain. Fine condition. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP The W. R. Holman Collection, Pacific Grove. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,200
Lot 123		Steinbeck, John -- TLS Referencing Release Date of "The Grapes of Wrath" Store (1902-1968) Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winning American author who authored 33 books and is considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20th Century. Some of his best-known works are "The Grapes of Wrath", "Tortilla Flats", "Cannery Row", "Of Mice and Men" and "East of Eden." Typed letter signed, one page, 11 x 8½" (April 1939). Continuing a year long working and friendly relationship with Zena Holman of the historic Holman Department Store in Pacific Grove, CA. She has clearly written him regarding the release of "The Grapes of Wrath" on April 5, 1939 after it was scheduled for release on the 14th by Viking. Evidently bookstores began selling them earlier and she has written him directly to ask if she can. Steinbeck writes: "I don't know why they have these release dates which no one keeps anyway. Apparently this book is being sold all over the state. And if one store does it I can't see any reason for others not to." She must have inquired about a pamphlet she saw in San Francisco that was being sold. "I did not know that was being sold or anything about it except that a few were sent me by Viking." He includes the pamphlet with this letter; it is titled "Personal and Bibliographical Notes" by Lewis Gannett, published by Viking in 1939, 14 pp and is clearly a promotional piece for "The Grapes of Wrath." The pamphlet was folded in half once to fit in a business size envelope. While archived the booklet has flattened nicely, with the crease barely visible; it sells for $25 to $35 today. With original transmittal envelope of letter. Estimated Value $750 - UP The W. R. Holman Collection, Pacific Grove. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $240