Signed Typed Carbon Letter
1960.
Historically important typed carbon letter with original signature: "Will", 4to, 2 pages, April 15th 1960, to Ernest Hemingway, Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba, concerning the progress Hemingway is making on a series of articles commissioned by Life Magazine, in part: "... I received your letter and the copy you sent to Ed Thompson, just before leaving for a week in London ... which is why I haven't written before now. However, I did make a point of dropping a note from Ed that he did agree to the extra payment and delivery date. So everybody is happy all around, save perhaps the happy warrior of Finca Vigia who probably hasn't gone so many rounds in a long time in finishing off an opponent. Your mention of a 40,000 work published piece may be a happy suggestion in more ways than price alone; Life can now plan for publication of an article of definite length. On this matter I do hope you send Ed Thompson and Ralph Graves the entire article and let them select the 40,000 they like best. This is a psychological thing, between you and me for I feel they would be flattered to read the whole mss, and eventually completely satisfied that they are getting the mostest bangs for their bucks. Any cuts to be made would be made by pros and, of course, in full consultation with you. Thompson forwarded your work sheets to me, as you suggested, and I am impressed as he must have been. The fighters themselves may live more dangerously, but they certainly don't work harder. Incidentally, it was kind of you to mention that you would have sent the renegotiation letter through me but for the time involved. From now on in, it's probably better if you handle things directly with New York ... as its New York's money involved, not mine - unfortunately. However, I stand ready to help should you ever need an interpreter. Delighted to hear that Mary's arm is progressing nicely..." Over the years, Hemingway scholars have speculated about what transpired between Life magazine and the author that enabled them to salvage the above project. The official version reads as follows: "In mid-1959 Hemingway visited Spain to research a series of bullfighting articles commissioned by Life magazine. He was unable to organize his writing for the first time in his life, so he asked A.E. Hotchner to travel to Cuba to help him. Hotchner helped him trim the Life piece down to 40,000 words and Scribner's agreed to a full-length book version (The Dangerous Summer) of almost 130,000 words. Hotchner later revealed that he found Hemingway to be "unusually hesitant, disorganized and confused" and suffering badly from failing eyesight and mental illness. Fine condition.
American journalist and a bureau head for Life Magazine, best remembered for the assistance he gave to a very troubled Ernest Hemingway in the preparation and publication of 'The Dangerous Summer'.
Binding: Unbound
Condition: Very Good
Language: English
Price: $1,200.00
Item #295715