John Steinbeck

“I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.”

Authoring more than 30 books during his lifetime, John Steinbeck is regarded for his realistic writing style and imaginative stories. Achieving great success with his novel Tortilla Flat, he would go on to pen literary classics like Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and, his magnum opus, East of Eden. Steinbeck found inspiration in his life experiences and the people he knew, allowing him to create stories that have lasted for generations. Many Steinbeck lovers are always on the lookout for material of his, and they know RR Auction is the best place to go to expand their collections.

Multiple letters from the East of Eden author have hit our auction block – with RR clients paying big bucks to get their hands on them. Take a look at this affectionate letter written by Steinbeck to his son about love – which sold for $32,426. Steinbeck imparts some fatherly advice to his 14-year-old son Thomas, who has fallen in love with a girl named Susan, “if you are in love—that’s a good thing—that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.” Steinbeck’s musings about the complications of love offer his son an explanation for his newfound feelings – lovingly penned with the warmth and care of a father. Four years after this letter was written, Steinbeck would be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his literary accomplishments. 

Steinbeck signed books have also been highly coveted by our bidders, like this first edition copy of his 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath. The value of this copy is enhanced by its inscription to one Joseph Dunninger, also known as ‘The Amazing Dunninger.’ Dunninger spearheaded the performance of magic on television and radio as a magician and mentalist. This piece linking two prominent twentieth-century figures realized $15,344 in RR Auction’s June 2020 Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction. 

With RR Auction’s decades of experience and wide buyers network, your John Steinbeck memorabilia will end up in the hands of passionate collectors who’ll cherish it as much as you do. Give our team a call at 800-937-3880 to learn more or click the consign button down below to get an appraisal on your Steinbeck pieces.