Hemingway, Ernest

Three Stories and Ten Poems. Paris: Contact Publishing Co., 1923

12mo. Original grey-blue printed wrappers, uncut, with the very scarce original glassine sleeve. Mint, even the glassine is unchipped. In a folding case. With original mailing envelope from the author.

Hanneman A1a

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
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A truly mint first edition presentation copy of Hemingway’s landmark first book.

"To Frank Curtin / with all best wishes / from Ernest Hemingway / November 1, 1927 / Paris". Sent by Hemingway to Curtin from Paris, with the original mailing envelope addressed by the author, reusing a mailer he had received, "c/o the Guarantee Trust Company."

Limited to perhaps 300 copies and published when he was just 24, Hemingway's first book contained not only the prize-winning story "My Old Man," but also "Up in Michigan" and "Out of Season" plus the poetry.  Expatriate publisher Robert McAlmon used the same Dijon printer Slyvia Beach had used for Ulysses the year before.

Such was the eventual demand for the present work that Hemingway later complained about not having kept one for himself and the prices it ultimately commanded from collectors.