Dec 6, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
711
A letter from Elaine Steinbeck following the death of her husband, author John Steinbeck
Estate / Collection: The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection of Raymond Chandler
STEINBECK, ELAINE
Autograph letter signed following the death of her husband, author John Steinbeck. [New York:] 20 February 1969. A one and half page autograph letter signed in full "Elaine Steinbeck" on the recto and verso of a single sheet, the letter addressed to Jean Vounder-Davis. With the original mailing envelope. Fine.
In this touching letter from Elaine Steinbeck, just two months following the death of her "beloved John," she writes out the Robert Louis Stevenson quote read at his funeral and thanks Jean for a letter following his death. Elaine Steinbeck writes "Thank you with all my heart for thinking of me as I try to find my way. Above all - remember him. From what you have written, I think it unlikely that you will forget him."
Sold for $480
Estimated at $400 - $600
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection of Raymond Chandler
STEINBECK, ELAINE
Autograph letter signed following the death of her husband, author John Steinbeck. [New York:] 20 February 1969. A one and half page autograph letter signed in full "Elaine Steinbeck" on the recto and verso of a single sheet, the letter addressed to Jean Vounder-Davis. With the original mailing envelope. Fine.
In this touching letter from Elaine Steinbeck, just two months following the death of her "beloved John," she writes out the Robert Louis Stevenson quote read at his funeral and thanks Jean for a letter following his death. Elaine Steinbeck writes "Thank you with all my heart for thinking of me as I try to find my way. Above all - remember him. From what you have written, I think it unlikely that you will forget him."
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Dec 6, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on December 6, 2024
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Books, Autographs & Maps
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle held a successful auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps onDecember 6, 2024 showcased is a wonderful diversity of Americana, maps, autographs, early books and landmarks of literature and science.
Highlighting the sale was the first edition of Spinoza's Tractatus theologico-politicus from 1670 that soared to $70,350. Spinoza’s Tractatus is his only work published during his lifetime and remains his most significant. It presents a clear theory of natural right, asserting that the love of God leads to love for others. The state exists to ensure liberty, not oppression, with justice, wisdom, and toleration as key. Influential to thinkers like Blake and Goethe, it shaped Romanticism.
The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection offered the largest trove of unpublished Raymond Chandler stories, poetry, letters, books and personal artifacts to come to market. Best known for his Philip Marlowe detective novels including The Big Sleep (1939) and Farewell, My Lovely (1940) and as screenwriter of film noir classics such as Double Indemnity (1944) and The Blue Dahlia (1946), Raymond Chandler is considered one of the top writers in the hardboiled fiction genre alongside Dashiell Hammett and James Cain. Held for decades, the archive belonged to Jean Fracasse [later Vounder-Davis] who was first hired in January 1957 as Chandler's personal secretary but quickly became his close friend, confidant, fiancé and muse to whom he dedicated his last book.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
