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Sale 73
The Manuscript, Space & Collectibles Auction
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Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 154 |
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[Arabic Script] Manuscript Page, Handwritten page, recto and verso, 6½ x 8¾ in. 19th century (?). The front features a lovely, handcolored portrait of a richly-attired man; the verso has text only. It concerns the deeds of a king.
Estimated Value $200 - 300
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| Realized
$123 |
Lot 155 |
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Howe, Julia Ward (1819-1910) Writer, poet, reformer, and lecturer; best remembered for having authored "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." February 1862 issue of The Atlantic Monthly (Boston: Ticknor and Firlds), containing the first printing of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Paper covers are toned and worn, split at the spine and partially held together with old tape; the inside pages are tightly bound with string and only lightly toned. There are a few marks above "Battle Hymn of the Republic," which is printed as a poem, on the first page of the magazine, having five stanzas. This published version has a few changes from Howe's manuscript version, written in 1861, and a sixth stanza was not included. This poem became the most popular Northern song of the Civil War. With signature of Julia Ward Howe on a 2¼ x 4½" card.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000
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| Realized
$504 |
Lot 156 |
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Pontificale Romanum Clementis VIII Primum, Nunc Denuo Urbani Viii Auctoritate Recognitum…Pars Prima, Parisiis, Impensis Societatis Typographicae Librorum Officij Ecclesiastici, Iussu Regis Constituta. MDCLXIIII (1664). Large folio, 15½ inches tall, 10¼ inches wide, 2 inches thick. Original leather binding is well worn; spine replaced. A liturgical book which contains the rites for the performance of episcopal functions conducted by the bishops. Beautiful title page; black and red text has many ornate initials and woodcuts depicting church rites and numerous pages of gregorian music. Two previous owners names on inside cover. Light soiling to end pages; faint dampstain at top of half title and title pages; light toning throughout.
Estimated Value $300 - 400
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| Realized
$258 |
Lot 157 |
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Steinbeck, John (1902-1968) American writer; 1939 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Grapes of Wrath; 1962 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Autograph letter signed ("John"), 3 pages, written in pencil on rectos only, on ruled legal paper, 8 x 12½ in., n.p., n.d. (autumn 1955). To Mark and Jim Pope, proposing to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions in 1956. With a 19-page autograph essay/letter, written in pencil on rectos only, on ruled legal paper, 8 x 12½ in., n.p., n.d. (late 1955). Addressed to "Dear Richey" (editor of the Democratic Digest) about the Democrats' strategy in the 1956 election. Both manuscripts are in fine condition; they are encased in a quarter red morocco folding box.
The intended recipients of the letter were James S. Pope, Editor-in-Chief of the Louisville Courier-Journal, and Mark Etheridge, publisher of the paper, whom Steinbeck had met on a trans-Atlantic crossing aboard the Andrea Doria and with whom he corresponded afterward. In this letter, Steinbeck outlines his plans to cover both the Democratic and Republican 1956 conventions for the newspaper, suggesting the initial terms and that they contact his business agent, Elizabeth Otis, to finalize the agreement. In part: "I will definitely go to both conventions and…I will file a number of stories from each one…The intentions of the stories will be toward lightness, a humor of a Curse on both your Houses type…." Terms, expenses, etc. are sketched out in some detail. Steinbeck continues, "I am working on a novel and am deeply involved with it…." [the novel would be The Short Reign of Pippin IV] and closes, "And I seem to feel that Jim Pope is a kindred soul and might be one hell of a poker player…." He signs "John" and adds, jestingly, "(vice president of the Nixon Memorial Assn.)" Steinbeck did cover the conventions for the Courier-Journal and syndicate; some thirty-four papers ran his dispatches.
The second item is a remarkable political document advising the Democratic party on how to prevent President Eisenhower from winning a second term. Steinbeck was a strong supporter of Adlai Stevenson, and had written speeches for his campaign of 1952. He writes, "It is generally considered that novelists are not good politicians. As candidates I should [think] this would be true but as designers of political method the reverse is probably true." His first principle is "attack is the best defense….no defense is necessary if your attack is effective." He says that the Republicans have turned to advertising and "The Big Lie-the statement so outrageous that people believe it must be true since it couldn't have been invented" to win the 1956 election, and suggests that the Democrats fight fire with fire, "…I do not believe there are nor have been many moralities in politics any more than in war…." His major suggestion for Democratic dirty tricks is that Eisenhower's heart attack should be used to scare voters away, rather than allowing the illness to attract votes of sympathy: "…people do not like sick people…I believe there should be a section of every Democratic political speech devoted to the illness…Great emphasis should be put on this--that in electing him we are electing half a president…Profit should be made of Dulles' admission that for a number of days he was out of touch with the government."
Steinbeck suggests that "the myth of prosperity should be thoroughly explored" and that Eisenhower's folksy image be debunked, "Has he in fact any access to anybody except corporation heads?" Steinbeck closely examines the scandals of the day, hoping for advantage: "The Israel mess should be exploited. Why is Saudi Arabia favored?" He suggests "slogans and catch words: Agonized reappraisal; brink of war; part time president; Chairman of the Board; golf mobile…" and runs through over twenty different ideas. His final suggestions include increased use of direct canvassing by telephone, especially by celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Burgess Meredith. The document ends without closing, but seems to be fairly complete.
There is no evidence of any publication of either document.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000
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| Unsold |
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