Steinbeck, John.

together with a series of 57 35mm. photographic negatives depicting steinbeck during a visit to tbilisi, georgia, taken by the photojournalist Otar Turkia in the year after Steinbeck's acceptance of the Nobel Prize for Literature, showing him signing books, playing a flute, in conversation, smoking a pipe, meeting local dignitaries and touring Tbilisi, in the company of prominent Georgians writers and literary scholars including Irakli Abashidze (poet and First Secretary of the Writers' Union), Sergy Chilaia, Vakhtang Chelidze, Edisher Kifiani, and Nico Kiasashviliand, photograph creased, some negatives scratched

Steinbeck: A Life in Letters, ed. E. Steinbeck and R. Wallsten (London, 1975)

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Steinbeck and his wife visited the USSR at the suggestion of President Kennedy in the autumn of 1963, as part of a cultural exchange. It was Steinbeck's third visit to the Soviet Union and was largely taken up by formal meetings, official dinners, and sightseeing under the heavy guidance of minders. The Steinbecks found their few days in Tbilisi a cheering contrast to Moscow, finding their hosts more relaxed and less tied to the Soviet state than elsewhere. These photographs, which provide valuable graphic evidence of Steinbeck's reception, were taken by Otar Turkia, who worked for the local journal Drosha ('Flag') and later became photo editor of the Georgian branch of TASS. On his return to America Steinbeck wrote a fulsome letter of thanks to the Writers' Union:

"...I address this letter to all the people of Tibilisi, to the singers, the writers, the flute players, the people who served us and gave us pleasure, who listened to us and talked to us - yes - and argued with us. That was good too. ... Clinging in our memory as tight as a burr on a sheep's belly are light and gaiety and kindness, and strength to protect them and these against a background of the sun-browned city and the talking river of the Gateway of the World..." (15 January 1964)