Hemingway, Ernest | Death in the Afternoon, with a reluctant inscription - photo 1
Hemingway, Ernest | Death in the Afternoon, with a reluctant inscription - photo 2
Hemingway, Ernest | Death in the Afternoon, with a reluctant inscription - photo 3

Hemingway, Ernest | Death in the Afternoon, with a reluctant inscription

Lot 25
08.12.2023 12:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Starting price
$ 10 000
AuctioneerSotheby´s
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1105472
Lot 25 | Hemingway, Ernest | Death in the Afternoon, with a reluctant inscription
Estimate value
$ 10 000 – 15 000
Hemingway, Ernest
Death in the Afternoon. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1932

8vo. Original black cloth, gilt; spine ends rubbed with a spot of frayed loss at tail, gilt somewhat dulled. Cloth slipcase.

First edition with a reluctant inscription by the author in the midst of feuding with the publisher: "To Miss Anne Roe with my very best wishes, Ernest Hemingway September 1932"

Accompanied by a rather amusing typed letter on Scribner's letterhead, dated 5 October, 1932, just two weeks after Death in Afternoon was published. Therein Sterling Galt of the Scribner's Trade Sales Department explains how unusual getting a signed copy of the book is, "Under separate cover I am sending you an inscribed, signed copy... He hates to autograph books but finally consented to do ten so yours is one of only ten existing autographed copies which makes it of considerable value." He then adds an autograph postscript asking Miss Roe to keep the presentation confidential... "there are a great many who feel badly if they knew there were any autographed copies at all!"

It seems that Hemingway was not in fact reluctant to sign books in general, especially for friends, but signing copies on behalf of the publisher's request presented more of an issue — especially as he was then rather dissatisfied with Scribner's handling of Death in the Afternoon so far. He chafed at the galleys he was sent that had the title "Hemingway's Death" that aroused his superstitious nature, and the publicity that was issued often referenced material that he had cut from the final text. Even the publicity photos used proved irksome. He wrote Max Perkins, "for christ sake no more of those open mouth open collar wonders. Promise me that..."

Given Hemingway's mood around the work's publication, it does seem quite an achievement that Miss Roe received the present copy.

"... the author at his best, first as a writer and second as someone who was never satisfied with knowing only a little about his subject but who always dug deeply until he had both the essence and the smallest details" (Charles M. Oliver, Ernest Hemingway A to Z. New York, 1999, p. 74).
Address of auction Sotheby´s
1334 York Avenue
10021 New York
USA
Preview
01.12.2023 10:00 – 17:00
02.12.2023 10:00 – 17:00
03.12.2023 13:00 – 17:00
04.12.2023 10:00 – 17:00
05.12.2023 10:00 – 17:00
06.12.2023 10:00 – 17:00
07.12.2023 10:00 – 17:00
Phone +1 212 606 7000
Email
4FQ.AE2YUKFA@AYGLGHC3Y@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 10:00 – 17:00   
Tu 10:00 – 17:00   
We 10:00 – 17:00   
Th 10:00 – 17:00   
Fr 10:00 – 17:00   
Sa 10:00 – 17:00   
Su 13:00 – 17:00   

More from Creator

Hemingway, Ernest | Typed letter to Marcelline, announcing the birth of his first son and the publication of his first book
Hemingway, Ernest | Typed letter to Marcelline, announcing the birth of his first son and the publication of his first book
$25 000
Hemingway, Ernest | Autograph letter signed to John Herrmann, giving advice on writing
Hemingway, Ernest | Autograph letter signed to John Herrmann, giving advice on writing
$10 000
Hemingway, Ernest | The autograph manuscript of
Hemingway, Ernest | The autograph manuscript of "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." [Key West, finished April 1936]
$300 000
Hemingway, Ernest | Autograph letter signed to Arnold Gingrich, following their chance first meeting
Hemingway, Ernest | Autograph letter signed to Arnold Gingrich, following their chance first meeting
$4 000
Hemingway, Ernest | Autograph letter signed to to his sister Marcelline, one of Hemingway's earliest letters
Hemingway, Ernest | Autograph letter signed to to his sister Marcelline, one of Hemingway's earliest letters
$7 000
Hemingway, Ernest | The Old Man and the Sea, first edition
Hemingway, Ernest | The Old Man and the Sea, first edition
$2 000
Hemingway, Ernest | Typed letter signed to Robert J. Carino;
Hemingway, Ernest | Typed letter signed to Robert J. Carino; "Every book that I’ve written is as good as I could write at that time "
$3 000
Hemingway, Ernest | in our time, first edition of Hemingway’s second book
Hemingway, Ernest | in our time, first edition of Hemingway’s second book
$30 000

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>
×
Save this search query and get timely email alerts! It is simple and very effective.
franz kessler (1580 - 1650)
Create a Search Subscription