Three items: an ALS signed “Mary Hemingway,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Finca Vigia letterhead, December 14, 1954, addressed to Kenneth Browne, in part: “When we returned from Africa and Europe this spring we had a year’s work waiting to be done and we have not yet caught up with it partly because my husband has no secretary. He could work eight hours a day only answering his mail, with a secretary, in which case, of course, he wouldn’t have much time or tranquility for writing, which he has been most eager to do. At the moment we are away on our boat”; a TLS signed “Mary Hemingway,” one page, 7 x 8.5, Ketchum, Idaho letterhead, February 28, 1961, in part: “After what seemed a dark and endless sojourn in Rochester, the Mayo experts got Ernest’s blood pressure under control and it is a relief to be back here in the sun and snow and sparkling mountains…Of course we miss Cuba, terribly, and the warmth and the Gulf Stream and our books and pictures and animals—but please don’t mention this to anyone—we don’t want any publicity at all in connection with Cuba, as it might move the Cuban Gov’t. to take away or destroy our home there”; and a vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 photo of Ernest and Mary Hemingway conversing in a casual setting with a large lion’s pelt visible in the background, signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint, “Best wishes to the Brownes—Mary Hemingway.” Reverse of photo bears typed collector’s notations indicating that the photo was sent to the recipient in November 1963. In overall fine condition, with a light paperclip impression to the photo. Accompanied by two original mailing envelopes.
