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649

Ernest Hemingway

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Ernest Hemingway

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Auction Date:2010 Jun 16 @ 10:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Bid online at www.rrauction.com. Auction closes June 16.

TLS signed in pencil “Papa,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba letterhead, February 18, 1955. Letter to screenwriter Peter Viertel commenting on producers Leland Hayward and Jed Harris, and a work in progress (probably Islands in the Stream). In full: “Had a letter from Leland this morning about when he could come down with you in the next few weeks. He doesn’t want to interrupt my book of course etc. (All he would do is ruin it. But I don’t have to explain that crap to you. Those characters love to ruin a book and one that isn’t finished counts twice I guess. Anyway must not be hard on Leland I’ve known Jed Harris and you must have known hundreds worse than Leland but maybe none worse than Jed.)

Anyway here is the gen. Have done an average of 4200 words a week on book since the first of the year. Have 262 pages at not under 270 words a page. If I can hold this pace, which is stiff for me, I should be done by the end of May or early June. That is if I can keep people out. Every son of a bitch there is wants to cut in on you positive that their little interruption won’t hurt. They put it in Lolly Parsons that they spent a week-end with you before they call up and ask to come to the house. After you turn them down they say they spent two weeks. Then the other bastards have to go through the same performance.

Anyway what Leland wants is to get you and me to work so he will have a script. So you can plan on June if you want. I don’t see any necessity to put my book out of business by story conferences and meetings of minds etc. Before then. Do you? Shit; I should try to be straight in my work all my life and then put it out of business for Leland Hayward. What sort of work I have to do with you we can do anywhere. On the boat as good a place as any.

Glad you’re in good shape, Pete. Will send a copy of this to Ireland if I don’t get a cable from you that you received it. Excuse letter if sounds gruff. Isn’t. Mary’s father died last night and am getting her over to Gulfport. She’d just got back. She’s been having plenty of trouble with all that and the mother (Christian Science) problem. Father’s expenses have been running about $1000. A week. So no need to worry about my health; under these circumstances whose back can ache?

Thanks very much about the coterie. Very sound idea to preserve a writer. The question comes up whether all writers should be preserved. Anyway you are my coterie. I wish you would write another book so I can read it.

Enclose clipping I found in the Nude Statesman. I thought it was a very intelligent review. Please never give up on writing.

So the Gen is contract with Leland to start your writing job in June if that’s o.k. With you. I will take my cuts every day until then and let you know if I finish earlier.

Please forgive short and worthless letter. Must write something to Leland now (that I have written you on this) write a morale letter for Miss Mary to have in Gulfport and get this into town with Juan.” Under his signature, Hemingway adds a short postscript, also in pencil: “Bum and wife just had a girl born. Gregory supposedly enroute to Africa to see Patrick.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds and a few minor creases.

A wonderful letter with terrific literary association, brimming with Hemingway’s usual quirky personality! Interestingly, the postscript includes references to all three of his sons: “Bum” was short for Bumby, his eldest son Jack’s nickname. And the just-born girl would, of course, have been his granddaughter, future actress and model Margaux Hemingway.
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