This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2023
Fantastic set of three books personally owned and signed by Ernest Hemingway, gifted to his friend and hunting guide Hollis ''Huck'' Mees who worked at the L-Bar-T Ranch in Wyoming. Books have been kept in the Mees family until their consignment here. Lot includes:
1) Ernest Hemingway signed copy of ''A Farewell to Arms'', inscribed on the front free endpaper, ''To Huck, good luck! / from Ernest''. London: Jonathan Cape Ltd., 1932. Bound in textured tan cloth, novel measures 4.75'' x 7.25''. Small stain on spine, a few spots to front endpapers and slight moisture buckling on front and rear pastedowns. Very good condition.
2) Ernest Hemingway signed first edition of ''Death in the Afternoon'', inscribed to Mees on the front free endpaper, ''To Hollis Mees / With all best wishes from his friend / Ernest Hemingway / L-T ranch / September 1932''. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1932. First printing with ''A'' and Scribner's seal on copyright page. Bound in publisher's black boards with gilt lettering, book measures 6.5'' x 9.375''. Some shelf wear, overall very good.
3) Ernest Hemingway signed first edition of ''The Fight for Everest: 1924'', with Hemingway's bold ownership signature on the front free endpaper, ''Ernest Hemingway / Paris, 1925''. Hemingway purchased this book for himself in Paris, 1925 and then subsequently gifted it to Mees. London: Edward Arnold & Co., 1925. Authored by Everest expedition member E.F. Norton, book is full of photographs and illustrations of the Everest ascent, complete with fold-out map at rear. Measures 7'' x 10.25'' bound in publisher's green boards with gilt lettering. In fair to good condition, with partial split on spine, separation to front hinge and part of text block, and several pages detached.
Books are accompanied by three photos of Huck Mees, provided by the family as provenance, as well as a copy of Ernest Hemingway's biography by Carlos Barker, where Mees is mentioned on pages 212 and 232.