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Lot #419
John Steinbeck

“The only complaints are from critics who haven’t been closer to combat than war bond rallies or Christmas shopping in Macy’s basement”

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Estimate: $1000+
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Description

“The only complaints are from critics who haven’t been closer to combat than war bond rallies or Christmas shopping in Macy’s basement”

ALS, one page, 8 x 12.5, no date but circa mid-1940s. Letter to an admirer, apparently about his 1945 novel Cannery Row. In full: “Thanks very much for sending the review from the Kansas City Star. The critics are very emotional about it. They don’t like fun. Actually this book is true and the people in it are true too. But the critics want me to write other things. Well, I was in the English Channel when it was rough (with the British MTBs) and I was in Sicily at Salerno and I came back with a desire just for a moment to write about things that seemed nice to me. There are some pretty ghastly things in my head and I want to keep them there for a while. And I’m going to the Pacific soon and that won’t be fun. I thought too that a lot of people might like to remember a time when there wasn’t war, particularly soldiers. Now it is interesting to me that the only complaints are from critics who haven’t been closer to combat than war bond rallies or Christmas shopping in Macy’s basement. In fact the letters from soldiers seem to differ widely from the critics. So I’m glad I did it because of that even if the KC Star doesn’t like it.” In fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs And Artifacts
  • Dates: #481 - Ended August 10, 2016





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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