- First Edition
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: Heritage Book Shop, ABAA, Beverly Hills, CA, U.S.A.Heritage Book Shop, ABAA
AbeBooks seller since March 25, 2008
Condition: Used
£ 7,601.81
Quantity:Â 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
n.p.: 1953. Full Description: STEINBECK, John. Manuscript draft for essay entitled "My Short Novels". [n.p.n.d ca: 1953]. Manuscript draft in Steinbeck's hand for the essay entitled "My Short Novels, which served as a preface to the Literary Guild's 1953 edition of "The Short Novels of John Steinbeck." A near word for word representation of the essay which was originally published by The Literary Guild Review and found in their magazine "Wings" in October 1953 (Pages 4-8). This manuscript is exciting because it is an close representation but still a draft of what was finally printed. In comparing the two documents, you can see that the published piece was trimmed down a bit from what Steinbeck wrote in this manuscript draft. Many of the edits are eliminations of a few words here and there, but there are a few places where whole sentences and ideas have been cut. Most of these are some what self-deprecating, which is interesting to watch him ultimately play down. Apart from punctuation changes, the parts of this manuscript that are not found in the final publication have been indicated by us below by being housed within brackets. Four foolscap legal-sized pages (12 1/2 x 8 inches; 318 x 202 mm). Written in pencil on recto only of each page. With a few notes and corrections. Each page is approximately 28 lines long. Lacking a final leaf which would go on to discuss the final two stories. Some minor toning and a small bump to bottom left corner of all leaves. Still a near fine example of a wonderful Steinbeck manuscript. Housed in a blue quarter morocco clamshell. Another manuscript draft version of this essay was sold at auction in 2023 for 32,500 Euros and was also incomplete. [Together with] A copy of the The Literary Guild Review Magazine "Wings" which includes the entire essay. In the four present pages he discusses the origins of the stories The Red Pony, Tortilla Flat, Of Mice and Men, and The Moon is Down. The final page which is lacking goes on to discuss Cannery Row and The Pearl. The Manuscript reads: "I have never written a preface [nor a comment] to one of my books before believing that the work should stand on its own feet even if it's legs ankles were slightly wobbly. When I was asked to comment on the [five] short novels of this volume, my first impulse was to refuse. And then, thinking over the things that have happened to these stories since they were written, I was taken with the idea that [the things that] happen to a book are very like [those that happen] to a man. These stories cover a long period of my life. As each [one] was finished, that part of my life [it represented] was finished. It is true that while [he is doing it], the writer and his book are one. When the book is finished, it is a kind of death, a matter of pain and sorrow to the writer. [And] then he starts a new book and a new life, and if he is growing and changing, a new life starts. [And] the writer like a fickle lover, forgets his old love. It is no longer his own- the intimacy and the surprise are gone. So much I knew but I had not thought of the [poor] little stories, thrust out into an unfriendly world to make their way. They have experiences too, they grow and change or wane and die just as everyone does. They make friends or enemies, and sometimes they waste away from neglect. [Remembering the careers of these short novels, has been interesting to me. All of the have been experiments. That is why no two of them are remotely alike. And experiments are rarely accepted all at once.] [My stories have been slow starters almost like shy young men who do not make friends quickly. Indeed most of my books have succeeded without trying in making quick and fierce enemies at first. It is pleasing to me that they do in time make lasting and loyal friends.] The Red Pony was written a long time ago when there was desolation in my family. The first death had occurred- and the family which every child believes immortal, was shattered. Perhaps this is.…
Seller Inventory # 69082
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Manuscript draft for essay entitled "My Short Novels"
- Author
- STEINBECK, John
- Publisher
- n.p.
- Publication year
- 1953
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Edition
- First Edition.
- Seller catalogs
- American Literature, Americana, Autograph Manuscript
Heritage Book Shop, ABAA
Beverly Hills, CA, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 14.76 | £ 29.52 |
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Store description
Heritage Book Shop, founded in 1963 by Louis and Benjamin Weinstein, is an internationally renowned antiquarian book shop specializing in fine copies of rare books and first editions. Member ABAA / ILAB.
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Exploration, Voyages, Travel, Science, PMM, Illustrated books, Modern firsts and fine press, Illustrated and color plate books, Nineteenth-century literature, Early printed books in all fields, Fine leather-bound sets, Finely bound booksAssociation member
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Heritage Book Shop, LLC
324 South Beverly Drive, # 1421
Beverly Hills, CA U.S.A. 90212
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Heritage Book Shop, LLC
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