This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/1/2025
John Steinbeck autograph letter signed, dated only ''Monday'', but circa October 1958. Composed to his typist Mary Morgan in pencil, letter reads in small part,
''The reason for the quick change post card is that I'm up to my old tricks of trial and error and what I sent you was entirely error. It never fails. I can't seem to operate without hundreds of false starts. I think I have the proper key now and am going ahead on a new line. But it may be wrong also and I see no reason for rushing it into type until I am a little surer. Since we will be coming into town the 28th which is a week from tomorrow, I am not going to send you any more stuff from here, but will bring it when I come and by that time I should know whether the new method is going to jell. The waste stuff seems to be inevitable. It is always that way.
We are going to Washington over the weekend of the 1st but after that we'll be in residence at 206 and you and I can get to work. / I think I finally have the key to this thing. But then I always think so until I'm rereading, often a little lapsed time convinces me that I haven't. As you will remember, the whole purpose of the lay off in writing was a kind of invitation to Renaissance. I think I have it now, or at least a glimpse of it. And it is important enough for me to work hard on, no matter what the smallness of the subject. The new trial piece, is light I know but, being a trial piece, it must contain all the elements of the change or it isn't worth doing at all. There is no question that is a puzzlement, but puzzlements are the heart of the venture. So if you will just stick around and be patient, we'll get together soon...After so long a lay-off from writing I feel like an amateur. But that was the reason for the lay-off so who am I to complain. Anyway, just sit on your hands for a while and maybe together we can find the structure together. The stuff I sent you was lousy. / yours / J.S.''
Two page letter on single sheet on yellow lined paper measures 8'' x 12.5''. Folds, overall near fine.