ON ELAINE'S GIFT TO JOHN AT THE PREMIERE OF BURNING BRIGHT.
Autograph Note Signed ('John'), on the verso of a mount for a silver gelatin print image of a Steuben Glass piece inscribed 'Tiger Tiger Burning Bright / In the Forests of the Night,' photo mounted with tabs on Steuben Glass mat, inscribed board creased and spotted from age.

This note, most likely to his sister Mary, explains the photograph within: 'International Glass & Sculpture Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. This was one of four entries by Steuben. Elaine tracked it down and gave it to me on opening night. It is 13 inches in diameter and the most beautiful thing you ever saw. Will you please show this picture to Esther and Bill? / Love, / John.' The Metropolitan Museum hosted a special 'International Glass and Sculpture Exhibit' from April to September of 1950. Steuben Glass is mentioned as a contributor to the show, but none of the four pieces mentioned by Steinbeck are illustrated in the published catalog. The work in question is the first piece for Steuben by Bruce Moore, a longtime artist for the company. It appears in Steuben Glass as 0147 Tiger Bowl / B.Mo. (1950) 14' dia.