This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/1/2025
John Steinbeck typed letter signed, dated 7 April 1958 on his personal Sag Harbor, New York stationery. Steinbeck writes an interesting letter regarding his sons living in a potentially violent situation caused by the ''sickness'' of an unnamed woman, possibly his ex-wife Gwyn Conger or someone at her home. Writing to his typist Mary Morgan, letter reads in part,
''They say that stuff like this brings May flowers. It had better bring something because it is damp. I must tell you one thing, though. The birds are coming back, the quarrelsome, mean selfish birds. And the peepers are heard at night - those tiny frogs no bigger than the tip of your little finger. They are singing like mad at night.
It is still raining. By my rain gauge it is two and a half inches for the storm and for here that is considerable rain. If the sun should by chance come out the green would spring up. Meanwhile I am fixing things inside.
Tom went back last night. Before he went I had a small talk with him. He knows all about the ladie's sickness, probably more than I will ever know. I told him that it was not his responsibility and that he or his brother should phone me immediately if any violence broke out. If it does, I am going to get them out of there, come what may. He said to me rather plaintively, 'What could you do from way out here?' and I told him I could and would do something and that immediately. I'll simply have my attorney get a cop and go over and take them out, and meanwhile I will start for town. It takes three hours to drive so I will need help on that end. I'm not sure Tom would phone me but I rather think Catbird would. Meanwhile I feel very out of touch. I wonder if you would mind phoning Tom now and again, just to maintain a contact...It doesn't do much good to write to them because there can't be any provacy [sic] and in addition in many cases just out of anger, my letters just don't get to them.
I have registered both boys at a big Catholic camp just across the bay from us. It is boys and girls and lots to do. We went out to see it and Tom was delighted with it. They have horses and boats and swimming and theatre and movies. But as Tom said, 'Mainly they have girls.' And it is only about twenty-minutes from here. That does leave part of June after school lets out. I will be in England and I don't want them wandering lonesomely about New York...It maybe that the mother will have got some rest and have some reserve from her trip west but that isn't liely. She visited her mother and her mother has the same sickness. I just pray that it can keep from coming to a fight before school is out. Bit if it is a fight, I fight good. Although I will avoid it if I can for the boys sake even if not for my own.
I think you have my phone number out here but if you don't it is Sag Harbor 1064. That's two years before the Norman conquest. That's the only way I can remember it. / The Walstons are coming out next week end and I will send the typewriter in with them. It is really a little jewell. / I think that is all for now, but do please check on Tom by phone. It would reassure me a great deal to know that someone is in contact with him...[signed] John''.
Single page letter measures 8.5'' x 11'', signed in pencil. Near fine condition.