Remarkable archive including an ALS, a signed book, and a telegram by Ernest Hemingway, plus an ALS by his wife Mary. All were sent to Harvey Meyerson, a journalism student who interviewed Hemingway at his Ketchum home in 1959. The interview was originally conducted as part of a project sponsored by Reader's Digest, and Hemingway complimented and edited the piece himself. Ultimately, Meyerson's professor gave the assignment a poor grade when he refused to make revisions, and the piece was published in his hometown paper, the Honolulu Advertiser, on May 3-4, 1959. Meyerson's interview was one of the last ever conducted with Ernest Hemingway. Includes:
ALS, signed "Ernest Hemingway" and "E.H.," one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, Finca Vigia letterhead, April 7, 1959. In part: "I made the additions and corrections you asked for. Was in Hawaii on way out to China and Borneo after I'd finished For Whom the Bell Tolls and on the way home. Flew home on plane from Guam…fished at Guam and Wake Island…Your piece is excellent—written well and clearly and with talent. Mary and I were sure you had the stuff after the first day and you kept on making a better impression all the time…You are a good kid Harvey and I am sure you will be a good newspaper man and a good writer." He adds a postscript: "You can use the piece wherever you wish." Below, in red pencil, his wife Mary writes: "Harvey—please look on back of picture for names and essential photo credits." In fine condition, with intersecting folds and show-through from writing to opposing sides. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Ernest Hemingway's hand.
Signed book: The Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. Later printing. NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1953. Hardcover, 5.75 x 8.5, 499 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page in fountain pen, "To Harvey Meyerson, best luck always, from his friend, Ernest Hemingway, Ketchum, 1959." Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG-/None, with a cracked front hinge and some staining/soiling to boards.
Western Union telegram assenting to the interview, one page, 8 x 5.75, February 8, 1959. In full: Please make interview will keep in touch best regards, Hemingway." In fine condition, with a missing corner tip.
ALS by his widow, signed "Mary H.," one page both sides, 5.25 x 7.5, April 26, 1966. Mary Hemignway writes to Meyerson about his misrepresentation in A. E. Hotchner's book, Papa Hemingway: A Personal Memoir, in which he was clearly represented by the character 'Mervyn Harrison.' In part: "My lawyer says that, since Hotchner used a false and different name for you, you wouldn't have much chance of success in a suit for libel. I hope he's wrong. The quotation of you is severely libelous." She goes on to provide Hotchner's address in Westport, Connecticut, and contact information for his lawyer. In fine condition.
Additionally includes an interesting eight-page article by Meyerson, detailing his experiences with Hemingway and Hotchner's slander.
