The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

INSCRIBED BY CARL SANDBURG TO JOHN STEINBECK
56. (Steinbeck, John) sAnDBurG, cArl. Abraham Lincoln: The War Years. 4 volumes. Gilt-lettered cloth.
First Trade Edition.
New York: Harcourt, Brace, [1939]
Inscribed and signed by Sandburg to John Steinbeck on the half-title of Vol. I (“John Steinbeck,
as between two soldiers. Citizens and fellow strugglers - with affectionate good wishes, Carl
Sandburg, Los Gatos, 1940.”), and with Steinbeck’s embossed stamp to a few pages of each
volume. Front hinge of Vol. I cracked at half-title. Rubbing to spines, else very good.
(2500/3500)
STEINBECK’S SOPHOCLES FROM HIS SCHOOL DAYS,
WITH PERSONAL NOTES, INSCRIBED TO HIS WIFE
57. (Steinbeck, John) sophocles. The Tragedies of Sophocles. Red cloth.
Cambridge: University Press, 1917
Steinbeck’s personal copy from his school days, with his signature in pencil (“J.E. Steinbeck, Jr.”)
to front pastedown, 10-line inscription to his wife by Steinbeck on front free endpaper in light
pencil: “Dear Carol, Here is my old school copy of Sophocles. I want you to read the Trilogy
of Oedipus particularly. I like this translation, it has more * than most of the pretentious (?)
translations in * I hope you will enjoy these plays. They are timeless, * things, John.” Most
importantly, Steinbeck has written notes (from school-day era, likely written during class and
passed to a friend sitting next to him.) in upper margins of a few pages having to do with his
life, for instance on page 15: “Sewerd invited me to go down to Carmel last week-end. I was
too broke to go.” A cryptic note on p.1, likely to a girl, reads, “Busy to-night? May come til 10.
Mother’s tears are more anatomical.” Another reads, “Ray! I have to play Polo on the 31st - my
1st public appearance. I’m skeered. Run the boat?” Yet another says, “Who in hell’s Montaigne.
He ain’t s’much. Trilogy & 2 Electras.” A couple of other notes from Steinbeck also present.
Dampstaining to spine and joint areas, affecting internal portions as well, thus good, but with
great personal content from a young and older Steinbeck.
(10000/15000)
Lot 56 Lot 57
Page 28