Steinbeck, John. A Medal for Benny. Paramount, 1945, first edition. An original-release color film poster for the film that starred Dorothy Lamour, Arturo de Cordova, and J. Carrol Naish, the poster measures 14X36 inches and is dominated by Lamour's beautiful visage, the poster also credits John Steinbeck and his boyhood friend Jack Wagner upon whose story this film was based, this item wasn't in the Goldstone collection, but see Goldstone & Payne E13, not recorded by Morrow. Folded, as usual. JD5095

Stegner, Wallace. The Big Rock Candy Mountain. NY, Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1943, first edition, dust jacket. Hardcover. His "big" book which was also the source for some of his best short stories, red brick cloth binding, one of several binding types, with a Review Slip from the publisher, Colberg A7.1.a, this copy Signed by Stegner. Produced with wartime materials, but still a very good copy with some tape reinforcements to the verso of the jacket. JD1296

London, Jack. A Typed Letter Signed by Jack London, dated June 21, 1913, stamped with his Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, California return address, 18 lines, to Margaret Smith Cobb, London notes that he is enclosing a check for $40 from "The Century Magazine" apparently in payment for her poem, "Unkissed," the magazine, he notes, wanted to publish London's letter along with her poem, he extolls the virtues of the magazine, he asks her to make appropriate changes and to return it to him, he ends with "I so loved that poem that I wanted to see it get first-class publication; and now we have got it," London has made two edits to his letter and someone has tried to mark out the $40 notation, see The Letters of Jack London, Vol. Three, page 1198, with its 1989 auction invoice. Folded. JD4939

Stegner, Wallace. On A Darkling Plain. NY, Harcourt, Brace, 1940, first edition, dust jacket. Hardcover. This was his first full-length novel, a very elusive book of which Stegner was not particularly proud and which very quickly went out of print, it was published serially as Clash By Night, Colberg A4.1.a, this copy Inscribed by Stegner with his warm regards to a noted bibliophile. Damp stain to top of rear board and inside of rear jacket panel, else very good. JD3437

Bellow, Saul. Oct. 25, 1961, first edition. An autographed letter signed by the Nobel Prize winner, written to fellow writer and long-time friend, Herbert Gold, dated Oct. 25, 1961, the letter is on one c.8X12.5-inch ruled sheet of yellow paper in which Bellow discusses a story written by Gold's brother, Sid, that Herb had sent him for a critique, Bellow's views are mostly positive with some constructive criticism ("A slightly tougher point of view brought to bear on the musical crook might make the story heave up and grow hair and claws"), written on both side of the sheet, the letter consists of 49 lines and is signed "Saul," he ends by telling Herb to ask his brother to rewrite the story ("He's got something, but you must encourage him to be somewhat harder -- the Nietschean hardness"), for further insight, see Herb Gold's poignant memoir of his brother, Sid, King of the Cleveland Beatniks, 28-34 in the Saul Bellow-edited "The Republic of Letters," No. 8, 2000. Folded for mailing and with general wear. JD6016

[Wallace Stegner] Stegner, Wallace. Fire and Ice. NY, Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1941, first edition, dust jacket. Hardcover. This is perhaps his most difficult trade title to find, especially with jacket, Stegner estimated that 2,500 copies were printed and that 1,900 of them sold, the remainder were probably pulped, Colberg A5, this copy carries a vintage inscription by Stegner ("For Elizabeth Patterson--/just an old Indian/love McCall/Wallace Stegner"). Very good.JD3438

[Wallace Stegner] Stegner, Wallace. The Geography of Hope: A Wilderness Letter. n.p., The Wilderness Society, 1993, first edition, wrappers. Softcover. With a printed dust jacket wrapped around, string-tied binding, includes a frontispiece photo of Stegner by Leo Holub and an appreciation by T. H. Watkins, Stegner's essay is the second chapbook in the Wilderness Society's Founders Circle collection of great writing on wilderness, Stegner offers his own introduction written especially for this book as well as his famous Dec. 3, 1960 letter to David E. Pesonen that came to be known as The Wilderness Letter, this is one of only 115 copies, letterpress printed only for members of the Wilderness Society Founders Circle (donors of $10,000+), together with the first chapbook in the series, Wilderness by Aldo Leopold, also done letterpress, string-tied binding, in wrappers with printed dust jacket, it also includes an appreciation by T. H. Watkins, photo portrait of Leopold from the University of Wisconsin archives, text is from his A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There, this is one of only 100 copies, although not called for, both books are signed by Luke Ives Pontifell, printer/designer of the Thornwillow Press which printed both books. Both books are as new.

Stegner, Wallace. Wilderness Letter. Salt Lake City, Red Butte Press, 1995, first edition. Issued without dust jacket, but with publisher's cloth clamshell case, the book measures 7.5X15 inches, handbound with matched cottonwood boards with a Coptic-stryle sewing structure exposed on the spine, housed in a box covered with rust red fabric from Japan, printed on buff-gray cotton rag handmade paper, titles throughout printed in various colors, this was Wallace Stegner's rallying cry for the preservation of wilderness made in the form of a letter written Dec. 3, 1960 to David E. Pesonen, the book is illustrated with fine line etchings by V. Douglas Snow, foreword by Stegner's son, collaborator, fellow writer, and conservationist, Page Stegner, there were only 75 numbered copies and 25 copies with Roman numerals hors commerce, the book was out of print before distribution, this is one of the contributor copies, being No. VI, given to Page Stegner, this is confirmed in a letter from Page Stegner and by a slip of paper tipped into the clamshell case that carries his name and the book number, this was one of two contributor copies given to Page, the book is Signed by both the younger Stegner and V. Douglas Snow, laid in loosely is an announcement for the book, also laid in loosely is a cancelled check Signed by Wallace Stegner, very scarce, a wonderful copy of a wonderful book. As new. JD5341

Adams, Ansel. An archive of letters from Ansel Adams to Wallace Stegner. This is an archive of letters and manuscript material involving two great artists, two great conservationists, two great Americans -- Ansel Adams and Wallace Stegner. There are three sections, as follows:

Section 1. This is comprised of 18 warm, cordial letters from Ansel Adams to Wallace Stegner from the years 1962 to 1982. All are typed letters, the vast majority signed by Adams. He often makes additions and flourishes in his own hand. Most are on Ansel Adams letterhead. Content is consistently fully-packed.

Section 2. This is a lot of materials related to the New York Graphic Society book, Ansel Adams Images 1923-1974 which included a foreword by Stegner.

Section 3. This lot concerns a question-and-answer evening at Stanford University involving both Stegner and Adams that took place Oct. 24, 1982. Essentially fine. JD6560

Below is listed a detailed description of each of the 3 sections of the letters.

Section 1. This is comprised of 18 warm, cordial letters from Ansel Adams to Wallace Stegner from the years 1962 to 1982. All are typed letters, the vast majority signed by Adams. He often makes additions and flourishes in his own hand. Most are on Ansel Adams letterhead. Content is consistently fully-packed. The first letter is dated Jan. 6, 1862, but it is more likely to have been Jan. 6, 1963. It congratulates Stegner on his most recent book, Wolf Willow, noting in his P. S. that there is a discrepancy in the end-paper maps. The second letter, dated Feb. 1, 1963, also speaks to Wolf Willow. The third letter, Jan. 12, 1964, discusses the problems of the Sierra Club, noting that "Dave Brower is our most valuable assettt" (sic)," adding that "It is unfortunate that his zeal has sometimes irritated people and turned them against him." The next letter also speaks about the Sierra Club and also talks about a recent meeting in which he talks about "Life" magazine "and other magazines of 'mass' direction. They want 'creative' work, but it must relate to pre-conceived notions. In other words - 'please be creative but in a certain way'. This is common in the photographic world. It seems to reflect a kind of 'group journalism' which can be, I think, disastrous to truly individualistic art." Another letter talks about problems in what was probably a Sierra Club book with Robinson Jeffers content. "To say it is a 'Jeffers' book would be wrong and an injustice to the poet, because the excerpts are largely out of context." He goes on to discuss what that book should contain. Another letter, dated Feb. 22, 1965, apparently responds to a Stegner inquiry regarding Stieglitz. Another talks about a print by Adams that he had sent to Stegner and adds "I do have some conservation ideas which might 'work' for THE AMERICAN WEST." Another speaks again about a print by Adams about which there was a problem the two were trying to resolve. Adams also writes, "I do a lot of work, almost four men's sometimes, but I seem to survive." Another attaches a clipping from a newspaper that lambasts Stegner and his The Spectator Bird. Adams recounts a classic rejoinder about critics. Another letter, to which Adams attaches a typed limerick, praises Stegner's The Spectator Bird. Adams's wife, Virginia, adds a written note of praise for the book. The next letter, dated Aug. 9, 1976, talks about his recent trip to Europe. "I did 62 rolls of film and feel I have about 6.2 really good images." He also talks presidential politics, thinking that Jimmy Carter "seems the only possible answer. I would not feel too crushed if Ford got in because I think he is, at least, of honest intention. Reagan would be a catastrophe." He also make a suggestion: "STEGNER FOR PRESIDENT!!" Another letter, dated March 20, 1977, talks at length about Little, Brown and the New York Graphic "people" and the work done on recent books. Another, dated Sept. 11, 1978, introduces Robert Cahn to Stegner. The Sierra Club Bulletin commissioned Cahn to write an article on the role Adams played in conservation and asks Stegner to see him. "I will appreciate your taking the time to see him and give him your thoughts on the Beard!" A Feb. 7, 1979 letter from an assistant, Andrea Turnage, announces that Adams will have open heart surgery on Feb. 14. Adams writes on Aug. 12, 1980 about his support for Sen. Alan Cranston, asking Stegner for his support. A card dated April 11, 1982 praises Stegner as a writer and goes on to say this is a crucial year for environmentalism and environmentalists. He writes, "We MUST achieve a strong majority in both Houses of Congress if there is to be any hope of controlling our President and his Gang of Four (plus)," adding that "We MUST go Democratic."

Section 2. This is a lot of materials related to the New York Graphic Society book, Ansel Adams Images 1923-1974 which included a foreword by Stegner. Included are two lengthy typed letters to Stegner from Nancy Newhall. She talks a great deal about Adams and the Sierra Club. "Ansel would have been the greatest president the Club ever had, and I am not overlooking Bill Colby or even John Muir. As it was, he, with Dave Brower and me, made the Club the most important conservation force in the nation. What a shame Dave lost his financial faculties." She goes on to ask for a first draft "as soon as you can. Stick just to what you know of the Ansel if that fits charmingly into this, to me, large vague book." In the second letter she writes, "By all means, let Ansel percolate through your system - he's better even than fine coffee and old brandy - like what John Muir called the "champagne water" of the high Sierra. She suggests that she do the biography part of the book. Another letter, this a typed letter signed by Adams on his letterhead, thanks Stegner for doing the foreword "for my 'big book' with the New York Graphic Society." He goes on to introduce another photographer, Pat Cauldfield, who was then engaged on a project on the northern plains. Adams encloses some tear sheets of her work that she had sent Adams from Audubon. His next letter thanks Stegner for his work on the book. "If the book is successful," he writes, "it will be LARGELY due to your handsome text. I am much impressed; so is Virginia. It echoes so much mutually agreeable philosophy. It has style (rare in these days)." He then makes comments on some specific parts Stegner's text, sometimes praising sections and also makes some suggestions for change. Attached to this letter is Stegner's original manuscript (typescript) of the foreword. For reasons unknown to me, it is missing pages 10, 11, 15, 17-18. Page 8 is also either a mimeo or an early photo-copy showing reproduced hand corrections and one hand correction in ink. The lot also includes Stegner's complete carbon copy of the foreword.

Section 3. This lot concerns a question-and-answer evening at Stanford University involving both Stegner and Adams that took place Oct. 24, 1982. Included in this lot is an original announcement of this "conversation." It is also comprised of correspondence from Adams to Stegner about the event. The first letter, dated Aug. 19, 1982, touches base with Stegner about the event, asking general questions on how the event should go. As an aside, Adams writes, "It would be interesting if we could make it a Watt (here referring to James Watt) Wake but I guess we have to be more constructive." His P. S. is of interest. "I am feeling pretty good; not much energy on the trail, but considerable in the darkroom or at the Word Processor. It would (be) rejuvinating to see you people! Did you hear about the religious bunny that was born in the hutch back of Notre Dame?" A follow-up letter, dated Oct. 12, 1982, discusses the event in greater detail. He writes, "This started out as a group of sedate questions but I quickly got into a plethora of scattered ideas. Some may have merit as points-of-departure. Is (If) some ideas are vague, spelling may be worse!" This three-page typed letter goes on to list questions. Stegner has made brief notes in the margins in his hand. A photo-copy of Stegner's letter of Oct. 15, 1982 in response is also included. Adams apparently wanted to talk mostly about conservation, but Stegner thought the audience would at least equally be interested in Adams talking about photography. Another Adams letter, dated Oct. 16, 1982, now responds to Stegner and his suggestions. "Your questions are very sharp and intelligent. I shall carefully review mine and submit to you in time for discussion." He adds, "Please be frank in all detail with my ideas. You are one of those people who have a great store of essential facts, as well as a sense of structure. I have a lot of most sincere opinions but am not gifted in deft organization thereof." Included is a photo-copy of Stegner's proposed opening remarks -- five typed pages showing some hand-corrections. With this is the manuscript (typescript) of Stegner's questions to be posed to Adams at the event. Some of the sentences have been altered with white-out and typed over by Stegner. These 13 lengthy questions cover six pages. Each page shows at least some hand-corrections by Stegner. Coupled with these questions is a photo-copy of 10 pages of questions that Adams wanted to pose to Stegner. Lastly, there is a typed letter signed by Adams to Stegner dated Oct. 25, 1982. "It was a fine event," he writes, "and, as I said, at least 50% was perfect! I commend your style and 'presence.'" He then comments at length about how much food he ate, but notes, "This AM I weighed one Pound LESS than I did yesterday! Let's have another event!!"