January 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, January 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2020
Ernest Hemingway autograph letter signed, announcing the birth of his son, Gregory Hemingway, to his friend Charles MacGregor. MacGregor was a founding member of the literary group Algonquin Round Table (or ''The Vicious Circle'' as they called themselves), to which Hemingway belonged, along with Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and Donald Ogden Stewart, all of whom Hemingway mentions here. Written from Kansas City, Missouri, letter is undated, but includes the original envelope postmarked 16 November 1931, four days after Gregory was born.
Joyful letter signed multiple times by Hemingway reads in full, ''It's a boy at the Ernest (one F-) Hemingways / Dear Mac - Thanks for the letter and for calling up Rheiny - This makes three boys - a matador - a banderellero and a sword handler - or one for Devils Island - one for Wormwood Scrubs and the balance for Sing Sing - Let Mr. [Robert] Benchley know I miss him very much and our old club life - There is a McGregor Beauty College here on Main between 2 pawn shops and we are thinking of having a photo made, enlarged and framed for the Royalton [Hotel] - In time these things become as valuable as Currier and Ives prints -- was off shooting and came back on a hunch the night before - Pauline is swell - she took one of these [boxer] Joe Grimm beatings - once I went out to take a drink of water and thought to console with the old one about anyway He who dies this year is [?] for the next - But it turned out all right and she is comfortable today-
Baby named Gregory Hancock -
Gregory for any 3rd Pope you name and Greg Clark of Toronto - Hancock for my Grandfather's wife Miss Hancock - and all her forebears - weight 9 lbs - Caeserian - signs of life in Greg 20 minutes after birth - O.K. now - craps, peas - in fact the works - had a good sound erection as soon as life appeared - I'd appreciate your informing Mrs. [Dorothy] Parker - Tell Mr. [Donald Ogden] Stewart too if you run into him preferably with a second hand car -
Tell Mr. Stewart I broke 21 out of 25 in the same afternoon sixteen yard rise - not having had my shoes off since the morning of the day before. It was evidently taking my shoes off that buggared my shooting on the boat - on the other hand no one can say what might have broken with my shoes off - Those things are hard to figure - Killed eleven live birds straight at the 30 yard rise same aft. - only three states you can shoot them in - Here, Kentucky and Pennsylvania - Best to you kid - Hemingstein
Here every Thursday - Sat - Sunday - Big shoot tomorrow (might write a piece on live bird shooting for the N.Yorker - I'll give you the dope if you want - Big shoot here is for $2000 first money - $120 entry - Glad to see the banks aren't broke - My best to the citizens Ernie''.
Two page letter on single sheet measures 8.5'' x 11''. Folds and very small tears at a few folds. Overall in very good condition. Accompanied by envelope handwritten by Hemingway, measuring 6.25'' x 4''.
Ernest Hemingway Autograph Letter Signed Three Times, Including as ''Hemingstein'', Announcing the Birth of His Son -- ''...This makes three boys - a matador - a banderellero and a sword handler...''
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