“I LOVE TO FISH BUT NOT FOR RECORDS. MOSTLY I LOVE TO SEE THE CRITTERS”: LENGTHY AUTOGRAPH LETTER ABOUT HUNTING AND FISHING, WRITTEN AND SIGNED BY JOHN STEINBECK
STEINBECK, John. Autograph letter signed. Sag Harbor, New York, August 13, 1965. Two sheets of yellow legal-size lined paper, each measuring 8 by 12-1/2 inches, original hand-addressed mailing envelope, framed with a portrait, entire piece measures 30 by 20 inches.
Original autograph letter, written entirely in Steinbeck’s hand, dealing with his feelings on fishing and hunting, making an offer to a friend, and featuring a brief digression on the Native American cultural practices, signed and initialed by Steinbeck. The recipient of the letter was Bill Wisner, an editor at Sportsfishing and Sportsmen’s Life, and a friend of Steinbeck. Beautifully framed with the mailing envelope and a portrait.
The autograph letter, written in felt-tip on lined yellow legal paper, reads: “Friday. Dear Bill: I knew something must have happened but did not know what. Sorry it had to be the elimination of your magazine. Now—about the projected fishtique. I know that labor day terminates most things, but not us. We plan to be here all of September and as much of October as possible. If it is time that the fishing gets better as the season progresses, we could put it off until later. Let me put down my personal feeling about hunting and fishing. I love to fish but not for records. Mostly I love to see the critters. I have little interest in taking the biggest of anything and would run like a rabbit to avoid reeling in a giant of any species. It’s just too damn much work. I also hate to take a lot of fish I can’t use. I love the school tuna because they can so beautifully. We put up 50 jars one year and they were wonderful. I went whaling recently and liked seeing the things but I do hate to see them just towed out to sea and thrown away. Even an Indian would plant them for fertilizer. You know, the I——— of the northwest used to raise wonderful fruit trees, stronger and better than the whites could. Then it was discovered that they used a religious ceremony and when they planted the trees they placed a donation to the Gods in the hole. That gift was a cross of salmon. No wonder the trees seem happy. But I do hate waste. My working week is 6 days. But I can always make up on Sundays if I lose some time. The only other controlling factor would be a business call from town, a previous engagement or a duty call from an authority I could not ding. Otherwise I can go almost any time. Now let’s see if I can get this letter through to you. Yours truly, John C. Steinbeck. PS. Don’t waste Special Delivery Stamps on Sag Harbor. They do not deliver. J.S.” This letter was written just three years before Steinbeck’s death. The recipient of this letter, William “Bill” Wisner, was an editor at Sportsfishing and Sportsmen’s Life, as well as the author of over a dozen books on fishing. He was a friend of Steinbeck, as they shared a love of both the water and writing. Their sons would remain friends in later years.
Fine condition.