John Steinbeck Collection 1934-1962

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

John Steinbeck Collection, Accession 6239-e, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

John Steinbeck Collection, Accession 6239-e, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

[Discusses Needham as a critic, critics in general and use of man's unconscious in his current series of books, particularly [ To a God Unknown].]

[Discusses writing the final draft of a novel [ In Dubious Battle], the effect of the loss of one sense upon the others, and Covici-Friede's interest in his work; briefly discusses Needham's deafness, [Ludvig van] Beethoven, having lived in Glendale, Tortilla Flat, [Pascal] Covici, [Robert Oleson] Ballou, Paul Jordan-Smith, [William] Heinemanpublishing To a God Unknown, shorts published in The North American Reviewand English magazines, Cup of Gold, his work requiring "abolish[ing] every vestige of ego," places he would show him were Needham to visit, a plan of work which would require remaking the novel and appreciation for his interest in his work; mentions Pacific Grove, New York City, London, Mexico, Paradise Lost, Lucifer and Monterey. ]

[Discusses a visit to Mexico City, a dog in Tamazunchale, beggars, Gerald Fitzgeraldhaving some manuscripts Jake Lutherwants to print and his desire that Luther get some better things from McIntosh Otis [Literary Agency]; briefly discusses the death of his father, John Ernst Steinbeckand a book [ In Dubious Battle]; mentions Puebla, Pacific Grove, Paseo de la Reforma, Chapultepecand New York City. ]

[Discusses a trip to Mexico; briefly discusses Crosby's liking "that book," Crosby's illness, lack of a picture, not knowing Texasbut liking New Mexico, a mountain rainstorm and an upcoming ceremony at the pyramids of Teotihuacan; mentions Chapultepec. ]

[Discusses a forwarded manuscript, needed house repairs, recent return from a trip [to Mexico] and a new book [ In Dubious Battle].]

[Discusses a "tampered" review, a review in The Worker, [ Carol Henning Steinbeck's ] influenza, changes to the house, a new book [ In Dubious Battle] and his current work [ Of Mice and Men].]

[Discusses writing for the theater, a book [ In Dubious Battle,], [ Tortilla Flat], his current work [ Of Mice and Men], Carol Henning Steinbeck's building a new house in Los Gatos, a trip to collect marine specimen, Needham as a reviewer and death of the novel; mentions Enseneda, California, Los Angelesand Santa Monica. ]

[Discusses a review by Needham, "this blasted book" [ The Grapes of Wrath] and the rapid passing of time.]

[Discusses [Edgard] Varese's interest in his work from a musical standpoint and the Grapes of Wrathas a "symphony"; briefly discusses where he and Armitage first met and his health; mentions Edward [Henry] Weston, Ritchie Lovejoy, Eagle Rockand The Viking Press. ]

[Discusses reviews by Needham and Larry [ Lawrence Clark Powell] in [ Black & White], a back injury, [ Harry Thornton] Moore's account of his work and Will Geer's interest in Ella Winter; mentions Hollywood. ]

[Discusses critics "beginning to work me over," a "nightmarish year," his pictures [ Of Mice and Menand The Grapes of Wrath] and preparation for next year's work, Black & White. ]

[Discusses not wanting his letter printed, a hectic life and the war [World War II].]

[Discusses biology as an escape from the "insane" world of men, whom he compares to lemmings; sees [World War II] as a species pattern not unlike bees; briefly discusses a trip to New York, being very busy, his defeatist attitude, avoiding politics and the "invertebrate book" [ Sea of Cortez]; mentions [Wendall Lewis] Willkieand Norway. ]

[Discusses his refusal to do a forward to Edward [Henry] Weston's book [ Fifty Photographs: Edward Weston], life in Eagle Rock. ]

[Discusses some lost slips and lack of a picture.]

[Discusses the French liking for The Short Reign of Pippin IV, [Charles] de Gaulle's upsurge causing censor problems for a proposed French movie of it and French humor versus American humor; mentions [ Isabelle Heyman Armitage] and [World War II].]

Acquisition information:
Deposit [ 1963 Dec 17 ] 1966 Jan 24
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
16 items