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ERNEST HEMINGWAY Letter Signed Re: Typing FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS Autograph PSA
$4,995.00
Guaranteed Authentic
SUPERB FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS RELATED TLS — HEMINGWAY PRAISES HIS 15-YEAR-OLD TYPIST: “THERE WEREN’T SIX ERRORS IN THE WHOLE BUSINESS” — SIGNED IN PENCIL WITH HIS HUMOROUS NICKNAME “HEMINGSTEIN”
Legendary author, outdoorsman and journalist, ERNEST HEMINGWAY fantastic, undated circa 1939-1940 typewritten letter on thin plain brown paper, pencil signed "Hemingstein", using one of his humorous nicknames reserved for close friends. With Hemingway's added note, "Monday" at top, and riddled with assorted typographical errors from the author's penchant for pecking at the typewriter.
Hemingway was deep in the drafts of his then-unpublished novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. A notoriously poor typist, he enlisted 15-year-old Phyllis Gardner, the daughter of Havana U.S. Consulate staffer and close family friend Jane Armstrong, to prepare the final manuscript for publication. Jane and her journalist husband, Richard Armstrong, were trusted members of Hemingway’s circle. For her work, Phyllis earned 20 cents per page. The present letter is addressed to Phyllis' mother Jane Armstrong regarding her daughter's typing of FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS.
At the time, Hemingway wrote to Jane saying he considered FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, "the best book I've ever written" but cautioned her about the subject matter saying, "some of the language may be too strong for your daughter. If you don’t think she should read it, well, forget the whole thing and I’ll carry it in an armored car until it’s completed". Ultimately, Hemingway did hire Armstrong's daughter and sent this letter upon the typing's completion. In the letter Hemingway references his For Whom The Bell Tolls character Lieutenant Berrendo.
In full, the chatty letter reads:
"Monday / Dear Jane ; That certainly was a swell job, pal and there weren’t six errors in the whole business. The guy’s name was Berrendo. My two rs looked like an n. Maybe before it all goes to press you could co-ordinate the moustaches etc. I’ll have to have someone check the Spanish too. I can talk it and understand it and think in it but I can’t spell it; nor English either. Anhow I can’t tell you how grateful I am and how I hated to ask you too. I didn’t know Phyllys’s [sic] last name so I made the check to you. The First batch got to N. Y. Wednesday night. So the final lot should have got there by Saturday. Should hear fr Burton soon. Thanks again very very much and tell Phyllis how swell her work is.
Best always Hemingstein”.
The Hemingway typewritten letter has been thoroughly reviewed and CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC BY PSA/DNA EXPERT EXAMINATION. PSA/DNA is considered the industry gold standard in autograph authentication. UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED GENUINE - simply one of the finest HEMINGWAY letters currently on the market. An investment-quality acquisition for any truly exceptional collection.
Condition is as shown, letter appx. 11" x 8.25". Two vertical and one horizontal crease, some rubbing, else near fine. Please review photographs carefully for exact condition.
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Own a remarkable, original piece of literary history! The perfect acquisition for the Hemingway fan, literature lover or autograph collector.
Sold as is, as shown.