John Steinbeck's letter to his teenage son, sold at auction

The author John Steinbeck, known for his books like "The Grapes of Wrath" wrote a letter to his teenage son who was experiencing his first love. The affectionate letter was sold at the auction, last Tuesday, for 33OOO euros. The handwritten letter wrote in November 10, 1958 was bought by a collector who wanted to remain anonymous, as the auction representative said in a declaration.

Why this letter is so special?

What is special about this letter is not only the fact that it was written by a Nobel Literature Prize laureate author, but because of it content that is really touching. It's the powerful message that lies behind those pointed words that stirs emotions. The father wants his son to experience love in the best possible way, as a wonderful feeling. But he, nonetheless, kept the idea of being aware of its downs and falls.

What was written in the letter?

"If you are in love - that's a good thing - that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you," Steinbeck wrote.

 "The object of love is the best, and the most beautiful. Try to live up to it (...) If you love someone - there is no possible harm in saying so - only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration (...) Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it," he said. "It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another - but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good (...) If it is right, it happens - The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away." The author wrote.

You can buy the content of the letter in different publications

The content of the letter has been published several times, the last one in 1989 by Penguin Books, called "Steinbeck: A life in Letters".

Among other items sold on auction there is Edgar Allan Poe's letter asking for a donation, Emily Dickinson's poem asking a shopkeeper for a smile for about 62000 euros.

By Andra Oprea