ERNEST AND GREGORY HEMINGWAY "HATE" CORRESPONDENCE
Extraordinary grouping includes 2 1/3" negatives of two vitriolic letters from 21 year-old son Gregory Hemingway to his father, Nov 3 1nd 13, 1952, and two of the author's types responses, also with printed positives of the letters and other (unrelated) material from the estate of Hemingway's close friend and confidante, Spaniard Roberto Herrera who also lived in Cuba. Gregory writes from Los Angeles only a few months after his mother Pauline's death. The woman had died following Gregory's arrest, most likely due to an existing heart or adrenal condition brought on by a call from Ernest concerning the arrest. In reaction to an apparently accusatory message, his son attacks: "...You ever write me another letter like that and I'll beat the shit out of you...When mother died...you accused me of killing her...As far as I am concerned, you can go to hell...". Gregory also makes clear references to Hemingway's drinking, calling him a "gin-soaked monster", and blasts his father again and again for abusing his mother mentally. He continues: "...You accused me of killing her - said it was my arrest that killed her...Did you think that little scene did her any good?...you accused me, you cocksucker...You will never look toward yourself". Much more revealing content. Days later, Hemingway replied in a T.L.S., also photographed: "...if in your present state, it makes you happy to hate me, go ahead and hate me...But please do now write silly letters about beating up your father, and do not write criminal letters to anyone, any time...This letter was criminally insane...It is my duty as your father to warn you...Your father, who is heartily ashamed of you, Ernest Hemingway...". He also noted on the envelope of the letter: "To be [photographed] Week cabled Nov. 12". Whom did Hemingway cable, and why were Gregory's letter and Hemingway's response photographed? And why were the photographs entrusted to the care of his close Cuban friend, Roberto Herrera? The father and son would never meet again. Also in the grouping are two candid photos of Hemingway hunting with Herrera and friends in Cuba, original slide of Finca Vigia, and two Cuban publications eulogizing Hemingway.