Steinbeck Auction Flops

It was billed as "the Steinbeck sale of the century." But yesterday's PBA auction of several Steinbeck drafts, letters and an unpublished short story was largely unimpressive. The 64-page manuscript draft of The Sea of Cortez did realize $92,000 (with premiums), but the draft of Sweet Thursday went unpurchased, as did a manuscript copy of an untitled Steinbeck play. An unpublished short story went for $1725. Presale estimates had suggested the collection would sell for more than $500,000.