Hemingway, Ernest

4 pages (8 x 5 7/8 in.; 203 x 151 mm), Ketchum, Idaho, 13 January 1960; horizontal folds.

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Hemingway reflects on the tranquility of his home in Ketchum, Idaho, in the year before his death. "It is very beautiful today after three days of snowing — sharp and cold and high clear mountain sky and the snow squeaks when you walk on it.

"From the window of the big bedroom you can watch a pair of mallards feeding on water cress at the big pool just below the house and day before yesterday two others turned up in the same pool. There is a good place for them to make a slide if hey want to stay.

"Wish you could see this place now. George is coming over in his lunch hour and Duque (McMullan) and Bud Purdy and we are going  to have a handicap trap shoot."

Bill Davis was a friend of Hemingway who lived near Málaga. In 1959 Hemingway used Davis's home, La Consula, as a base while prepared to write The Dangerous Summer. Hemingway writes that he is enclosing a check with the letter to cover some of his expenses at La Consula.  He also provides Davis with A. E. Hotchner's telephone numbers in New York and say, "Hotch is in N.Y. and will be until end of month. I am spooked about him doing 5th Column and wish he wasn't." Hotcher adapted Heminway's only play, The Fifth Column, for an episode of The Buick Electra Playhouse on CBS. The teleplay aired on 29 January 1960 and featured Richard Burton and Maximilian Schell.

A fine unpublished letter.