August 2023 Auction Ends Thursday, August 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2023
Ernest Hemingway autograph note both signed and initialed, handwritten in the blank space of a typed letter sent to Hemingway from his lawyer Alfred Rice on 5 October 1950. Numerous topics are covered, most notably the German publishing rights for ''Across the River and Into the Tress'', Hemingway's penultimate novel, and also an excerpt from ''A Farewell to Arms''. Hemingway writes in part,
''Dear Alfred: Was in bad shape with a blood clot in right leg. But they are beating it ok. It was from that spiel I took. / Hope you're fine / Ernie''. He continues, ''Think we're ok on book. / Please write Ernst Rowalt [Rowohlt] at Hamburg (you probably have address) and make contract with him for Over the Trees provided he has actual money and will pay and provided he has translation made by Anna Marie [Horschitz-Horst]...and jacket made by Adriana Ivancich. Without those no contract.'' With interesting mention of Ivancich, a woman he was having an affair with.
On the first page, Hemingway answers Rice's questions, one of which reads, ''a request by Pastrich for the use of a quotation from A FAREWELL TO ARMS...'' Hemingway writes in response, ''OK to use if they pay properly''. Hemingway writes a few other notes on this page, including meeting Bernard George Davis of Ziff-Davis publishing, ''Saw Davis told him to get in touch with you. Not sure about him nor his proposition yet. Altho he is very nice and his proposition sounds good. Raised him to $2500 an issue and want $1 a word for any matter I write. This is what got always from [?] and NANA [North American Newspaper Alliance]. EH''.
Composed by Hemingway on two sheets, each measuring 8.5'' x 10.75''. Staple puncture at upper left, folds and light creasing. Very good plus condition.
Ernest Hemingway Autograph Note Signed & Initialed Regarding Publishing Rights to ''Across the River and Into the Trees'' and an Excerpt from ''A Farewell to Arms''
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