STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968.
6 Autograph Letters Signed ('John Steinbeck,' 'John,' or 'JS'), 1 Typed Letter Signed ('John'), and a partial Autograph Letter Signed ('John') to Willard Bascom regarding Project Mohole and other matters, 11 pp total, various sizes and papers, from Barbados, Singapore and New York, February 15, 1961, to March 4, 1967, including autograph transmittal envelope for March 4, some with folds, clean.
WITH: A sweatshirt given to Bascom by John Steinbeck on the expedition, navy blue knit cotton hooded sweatshirt, front pouch pocket, without maker's label or size indication, unevenly faded, soiling, stains and some paint flecks.

Willard Bascom was a scientist and adventurer, who in 1961 led the first phase of Project Mohole, the world's first attempt to sample the Mohorovičić discontinuity ('Moho'), where the earth's mantle and it's crust meet. Bascom invited Steinbeck to join the expedition, and Steinbeck wrote about the venture in an April 1961 Life Magazine article. These letters reveal the foundations of their relationship as well as Steinbeck's participation and assistance to the projects beginnings, exhibiting Steinbeck's relationships to the President and Washington. He also offers insight into the Time Magazine relationship, 'I made them read it back to me on the phone so I was sure that I had written what they printed.'

The letters show a developing friendship with Bascom and reveal the personal Steinbeck as he moved through his final years. Of a potential trip, Steinbeck writes, 'I am not going any places any more without Elaine. Life is too short to be away from her.' He continues discussing his work [presumably on Travels With Charley], 'I have been living a fairly anchoretic life in this tower [their NYC apartment]. Working like a death watch beetle. Not only am I interested in what I am doing, I want to get it finished. These letters reveal the life of Steinbeck in the 1960s, both professionally and personally.

Steinbeck, who bunked with Bascom on the Mohole expedition, bought the sweatshirt for Bascom, fearing that he would be cold as he was 'working his tail off' on board ship. It matches one Steinbeck wore himself on board. See Benson, John Steinbeck, Writer, New York, 1984, pp 894-6.
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