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Steinbeck, John - ALS As an Angry Father

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Steinbeck, John - ALS As an Angry Father
<Our item number 109998><B>Steinbeck, John.</B> &#40;1902-68&#41; Autograph Letter Signed &#34;<I>Father</I>&#34;, 2½ pp., 13&#34; x 7¾&#34; &#40;recto/verso&#41;, n.p., n.d. Very good; two punch holes along left edge, affecting no text; paper has been crumpled and then re-flattened, as though wadded up in anger and later rescued. Steinbeck pens a sharp letter of reprimand to his son Thom for his irresponsible behavior involving an incident with the telephone company. The letter reflects more than the problem of this one incident. It underscores the growing rift between father and son and provides insight into the father/son relationships Steinbeck would draw in CANNERY ROW and EAST OF EDEN.<BR><BR>In part: &#34;…<I>I am tired of your double talk. I have never let you down, and you take this as weakness….Get out of this dream world. You aren&#39;t getting away with anything. I told you long ago that your reputation is all you have and you make it yourself….I asked to be allowed to do my work - w ork you live on and then this and many more things….If you were genuinely sorry, which you say you are not, it is not enough. Even the church does not accept repentance without reform….It was…an attempt to prove yourself a big shot which you are not - or rich which you are not and I am not. I am struggling to support you and your mother and every one else around me but your letter shows neither regard nor consideration for me….I suggest that you get a job this summer….and pay back the people whose money you have taken…. I am thoroughly angry with you and I shall expect a letter from you by return mail. Otherwise you will find that you have also confused kindness with weakness. And don&#39;t try to retire into rage or emotion. I know those too - very well.</I>&#34; He adds a long postscript, ending, &#34;…<I>Now you had damned well better get off your dime. I respond very well to honesty but you will find that your child-like hustling is now over. I want an answer, and if you &#39;forge t&#39; I will see that you are made to remember and that I can do</I>.&#34; <BR>Estimated Value &#36;3,500-4,500. <BR><BR>Our item number 109998<BR><IMAGES><P ALIGN="CENTER"><IMG SRC="http://64.60.141.195/photos/40jpegs/109998.jpg"> </P></IMAGES>