This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/1/2025
John Steinbeck autograph letter signed, written to his typist Mary Morgan, who -- Steinbeck's just learned -- has become engaged to a lawyer in Montreal and will therefore no longer be working for him. Steinbeck laments her loss, teasing her in an affectionate way. Dated March 7 (1961), letter reads in full,
''Dear Mary: / I wouldn't even consider remarking that Lamb had a little Mary. How often have you heard that. Anyway I'm glad you're so happy, honey. However, that doesn't change my basic opinion that you are just as crazy as a cow in fly time. Take it easy with a Q.C. He knows how to cross examine and you're a pushover for that. I'm really very pleased in a nasty sort of way. Why should you care that both my typewriters are on the blink and I have no one to see that they are fixed. That I have a hundred pages of m.s. in handwriting and no one to type. That I'm probably going out to the West Coast for Project Mojave on Saturday. Oh! No! You're just interested in yourself. And has it occurred to you that Mary Lamb is a damned lie. Lamb's clothing perhaps, but underneath the loup garou.
In due course you will get a wedding present. How would you like a box of sand from 12,000 ft under the sea. Sounds good? I do hope we'll see you on your way through. And we'll probably be here or at Sag Harbor.
Please give my heartiest congratulations to M. Agneau and tell him I lost a damn fine secretary. Are you going to let him know you can type?
In haste. Elaine sends love and will write. And I also send love and felici-- -- -- / John''.
Single page composed in pencil on yellow legal paper measures 8'' x 12.5''. Minor creasing, overall near fine.