Part of a collection of letters from John Steinbeck to Alicia Patterson Guggenheim, written from New York and during his travels in Ireland, England and Israel in 1965-1966. Alicia had died in 1963, and Steinbeck wrote the letters in this series as a weekly column for Newsday. She was the editor and publisher of Newsday from 1940 until her death in 1963, and Steinbeck addressed his letters "not ... to someone who is dead, but rather to a living mind and a huge curiosity" (see MA 2519.39). Letters in the collection have been cataloged individually; see collection-level record for more information.
Typed on Newsday letterhead stationery.
Quoting at length from an earlier letter from Steinbeck, in which he discusses his reasons for addressing the letters to Alicia. Remarking that "should by any chance any letters address to Alicia arrive at Newsday" he would like to introduce the series by quoting from this letter. Noting that Steinbeck will not need to join any Guild and reiterating his offer that Newsday pay for the Steinbecks' trip, noting "itemized expense accounts are a terrible nuisance" and further remarking "Live it up or down as it suits your moods and convenience. Newsday will pick up the tab."