Steinbeck John

1952 · Best.-Nr. 18857 — New York: New York Times Magazine 1952. Handwritten Manuscript. Paper. Near fine. Handwritten by John Steinbeck parts two and three of his three-part article for The New York Times Magazine titled "Autobiography: Making of a New Yorker." Together with three autograph letters signed by Steinbeck to NYTM editor Seymour Peck and o. In total this collection includes 12 legal page leaves written in pencil by Steinbeck on rectos only and one typed letter from his editor. All in near fine condition with faint toning to edges and small paperclip indentations. Goldstone & Payne C90 article With an 11-page typed transcription of the drafts and letters bound in chronological order of appearance. Housed in a custom brown cloth clamshell case title printed on paper label affixed to spine. Provenance: Christie's 1986; Christie's 1999 John Steinbeck's article "Autobiography: Making of a New Yorker" begins in Part One not included here with his first unhappy and short-lived experience in New York City in 1925 at the age of 23. Part Two handwritten here details his second "assault on New York" in the fall of 1935 in which he begrudgingly transforms from a "Country Boy" into a true "New Yorker." At first Steinbeck writes: "It is so strange to look back. I was going to live in New York but I was going to avoid it." Near the end of the installment his anecdotes change. He writes: "Everything fell into place. I saw every face I passed. It was beautiful - but most important - I was part of it I was no longer a stranger." In the final section handwritten here Steinbeck describes the broad dichotomy of the city and romanticizes city life. He writes: "New York is an ugly city a dirty city. Its climate is a scandal its politics are used to frighten children its traffic is madness its competition is murderous. But. once you have lived in New York and it has become your home - no place else is good enough. All of everything is concentrated here population theatre art painting publishing importing business murder mugging luxury poverty. It is all of everything." The correspondence between Steinbeck and NYTM editor Seymour Peck primarily discusses deadlines for the article drafts. In the first letter Steinbeck tells Peck of his plans for the three-part article. Peck responds on November 26 1952 asking for all writing to be completed by December 24 1952. The second letter is inserted at the end of Part Two informing Peck that Part Three will be along shortly. The third letter dated December 17 1952 accompanies Part Three in which Steinbeck says the article "isn't very good but it is heart-felt." A truly exceptional collection of autobiographical writings from a classic American author. Despite his reputation as a Californian John Steinbeck spent nearly half his life living in New York City. In 1925 he left Stanford University without a degree and moved to the city for roughly one year. He returned to New York with his then-girlfriend Gwen living for a while in Sneden's Landing. They stayed in New York until the birth of his first son Thom and the publication of Cannery Row 1945. He later returned to the East Coast with his third wife Elaine and bought a home in Sag Harbor in 1955. Steinbeck remained in New York City until his death in 1968. [New York Times Magazine] books