Lot #625

John Steinbeck

Description

Traveling with Charley, Steinbeck writes to his wife of “the deepest south,” “Cracker country” and the hope that “maybe I learned something”

ALS signed “John,” on a 3.25 x 5.5 postal card, no date, but postmarked Pelahatchie, Mississippi, December 3, 1960. Letter to his wife Gwyn. In full: “Doing the deepest south now. I’m in Miss near the Alabama border. Saw the ladies[?] perform in N[ew] O[rleans] (mother love). Going to Montgomery now and then Cracker country, then up the Smokeys. Should be home some time next week. This has been a long hard grind. Maybe I learned something. We’ll see. Sorry to hear about Cat. Makes it so hard for himself. Can’t think what next. Glenn Graves had a good record company. See you. John.” Steinbeck has addressed the reverse of the postcard to Gwyn Steinbeck, and postcard also bears a rubber-stamped winged pig and “Miyagus.” In fine condition, with a few light creases, and light impressions and show-through from postal marks on reverse.

The 1960 postmark dates this message to Steinbeck’s famed ‘Travels with Charley’—the road trip he took with his French standard poodle Charley across the United States as part of a travelogue and to fulfill his desire to see the country on a personal level. It was on this journey that Steinbeck did indeed “learn something” as noted here…a discovery that the ‘new America’ of 1960 did not live up to his expectations. While in the South—specifically New Orleans—Steinbeck encountered racism was not only towards blacks, but also toward Jews. His conclusion at the time was that Southerners—black and white alike—would retain a fear of change despite the best efforts of reformers. An interesting first-hand account during his famous journey. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

• Auction Title:
• Dates: #375 - Ended September 14, 2011

This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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