Manuscript of Steinbeck's Unpublished Story In Response to McCarthyism, 'If This Be Treason.' STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Autograph manuscript of unpublished short story 'If This Be Treason.' N.p., [1953]. 9pp., folio (318 x 201 mm), written recto only, on yellow lined legal sheets in blue ink, with autograph corrections in green ink. Small waterstain in upper margin of p.1. Provenance: The Estate of Steinbeck's literary agent Elizabeth Otis (1982 letter from John Fleming attesting to the previous ownership). 'If this be treason, make the most of it' (Patrick Henry) Taking its title from Patrick Henry's attack on the Stamp Act of 1765, Steinbeck's short story about the Hollywood Blacklist concerns the dismissal of a star from a television show because of the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy's Committee (here described by Steinbeck as 'that Washington stuff'). The story focuses on a conversation between Veep and Al regarding the firing. 'Veep there was a guy said If this be treason'' 'That was different,' said Veep. 'That was a war--the Revolution.' 'No,' said Al. 'I heard it on a quizz [sic] program. It was fifteen years before the Revolution. Stamp Act time.' 'What'd they do to him?' 'Nothing. He just sad Nuts--made the most of it.' After submitting the story for publication, it was objected to by the President of Viking Press, Harold Guinzburg, so Steinbeck withdrew the story from publication. Owing to his New Deal political leanings and his pro-union writings which offered an unflinching look at capitalism, Steinbeck was routinely suspected of communist sympathies, though he was never formally accused by the House Un-American Activities Committee. Several years after writing it, Steinbeck concluded a June 1957 Esquire article defending Arthur Miller following his trial in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee similarly: 'And if this be treason, gentlemen, make the most of it.' Writing in that article, Steinbeck claimed: 'There is a clear and present danger here, not to Arthur Miller, but to our changing and evolving way of life. ...I feel profoundly that our country is better served by individual courage and morals than by the safe and public patriotism which Dr. Johnson called 'the last refuge of scoundrels.'' A typescript identical to this manuscript was owned by Steinbeck's friend and neighbor at Sag Harbor, producer Ernest H. Martin (see PBA's May 24, 2007 auction, lot 164). For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing