Hemingway Ernest

Hemingway's Letter Referencing "The Old Man And The Sea", Batista, Africa and Suicide

A remarkable single page signed typed letter with autograph annotations by Ernest Hemingway. On letterhead of "Finca Vigia San Francisco De Paula Cuba", (Finca Vigía was the home of Ernest Hemingway in San Francisco de Paula Ward in Havana, Cuba), 8.25" x 11". Dated "February 9, 1954", and signed by Ernest Hemingway as "Papa". Includes 32 autographed word annotations handwritten by Hemingway. The recipient was likely Peter Viertel, who was working on the creation of a script for the screen adaptation of Hemingway's recent novel, The Old Man and the Sea, which had won the Pulitzer prize the year before.

A fascinating letter, showing pieces of Hemingway's life, like pieces of a puzzle with many undercurrent themes and meandering thoughts…

Miguel

Hemingway, recently back from Africa and his near death experiences in two concurrent plane crashes, begins his letter discussing Miguel's visit. Luis Miguel Dominguin was one of the most prominent and well known bullfighters from Spain, and the two no doubt discussed their passion for the sport. Miguel would frequently visit Hemingway in Cuba, with one such visit being described in the opening of this letter. His recurrent visits no doubt provided the opportunity for Miguel to meet Ava Gardner at Finca Vigia which then blossomed into a torrid and well publicized affair in the same year as this letter. (Ava starred in Hemingway's last movie, The Snows of Kilimanjaro).

Hollywood

However, in the letter, Hemingway quickly quips to Peter that "We won't talk the picture", to put his mind at ease. Hollywood was already nipping at Hemingway's heels to make another film from his recent Pulitzer prize winning novel, the Old Man and the Sea. He additionally makes another reference to the movie when he mentions "Hayward". Leland Hayward had been badgering Hemingway to let him make the film, and shortly after their return from Africa began visiting Hemingway to construct the movie and sign the contract for the film rights. (It has to be said that Hayward had paid Hemingway handsomely for the film rights.). Hemingway offered a half joking comment of "... I think we have to seriously consider possibility of Hayward dying. Not good to consider but sometimes you have to consider it. I don't know how anyone is going to go at the gate he goes and not have something give ..."

Batista

This letter even makes a quick reference to Batista and Hemingway extending an invitation to him, then noting he was unable to come due to the upcoming elections. However, Hemingway writes: "Had originally invited Batista too but he couldn't come on acct. of the elections and we have so much shrubbery" (perhaps a reference to Batista being well hidden if he came to Hemingway's house?). Putting this in perspective, this period was also the era when Havana served as "a hedonistic playground for the world's elite", producing sizable gambling, prostitution and drug profits for the American mafia, corrupt law-enforcement officials, and their politically elected cronies, and the period of political and social unrest ultimately ushering in the Cuban revolution and thrusting Castro to power. Hemingway's political alliances and his involvement are the subject of much controversy, including the belief that at one point he was a spy. So his alliances are unclear and controversial.

Africa

Hemingway then meanders to calling off the "Africa deal" noting unfinished business there "Gen on Africa very bad now." … and noting "we can always get out there honorably and live with old Mouse", a reference to his son Patrick. Patrick (mouse), had graduated from Harvard University and moved to East Africa to build a safari and big-game hunting business, later teaching and working in African wildlife management and conservation. Patrick was already living in Africa at the time of this letter. Although the context of this comment is unclear, this letter was written merely weeks after Hemingway had barely survived two near death plane crashes when vacationing in Africa. "His skull was fractured, two discs of his spine were cracked, his right arm and shoulder were dislocated, his liver, right kidney and spleen were ruptured, his arms, face and head were burned by the flames of the plane, and his vision and hearing were impaired...". With all that, perhaps this reference alludes to his recent visit.

Suicidal Thoughts and Stress

With all of this occurring in the background, Hemingway was indeed feeling overwhelmed. This is reflected in several of his comments in the body of the letter. "If my pals, NOT YOU, you're welcome as I wrote, come around this joint much more I will be death house material too. Am going to learn to be ruthless.", or his opening statement of "Here our life she has been rugged", and then found within his last paragraph is perhaps his most eerie and foreboding comment. Stressors on Hemingway's mind and body were beginning to show, along with his difficulty coping. Hemingway alludes to suicide a thought which is believed to have played on his mind since his father's death, but is now entering his thoughts more frequently " … was in fine shape until the people came down and killed me. Maybe all for the best. You asked where would go if couldn't take it here. Off the stern of the Pilar, slipped, and down 800 fathoms. Right now that is a nicer place …"

Shortly after this letter was written, Hemingway began a descent into poor health and mental disorientation. Some claim it was depression, others an iron-deficiency disease, but most now believe it was his 9 plus concussions and their developing into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The symptoms of CTE resemble those of depression and paranoia, creating what many think today was a misdiagnosis of clinical depression, for which the prescribed treatment during that era was electroshock therapy. Unfortunately for Hemingway, after receiving 15 electroshock treatments at the Mayo Clinic in 1960, he was left with memory loss and mental impairment leaving him in state of great difficulty to even completing a written sentence (and it took him taking days to write a congratulatory note to recently elected President Kennedy).

The letter displays Hemingway's rambling thoughts darting in many directions, but nevertheless touching upon the many themes of his world at a significant turning point in his life. Hemingway signed typed letters with lesser relevant content have more recently sold at auction in excess of $15,000! The letter is shown in full below:

"Here our life she has been rugged. Miguel called up and turned up about ten days ago. He said you treated him wonderfully and has great admiration for B. He was only going to stay 6 or 8 days. But I think he got to like the simplicity of our life which could be combined with the long distance telephone to all continents plus le[sic] staying out all night. Last night for instance he was going to a simple little affair like the closing of the Binealle Art Exposition with the Conde de Foxa leading Spanish Franco man at the Embassy who he'd invited out to lunch. Had invited Batista too but he couldn't come on acct. of the elections and we have so much shrubbery. Anyhow he shoves off and will be back early so he and Juan the chauffer can get a start for town by 0830 (it is Saturday) and everything closes at noon. So like around nine o'clock , Juan not having shone up, I leave word that when he does to call back from the grocery store for orders. It turns out Juan was seen at 0730 getting the car out to go find Luis Miguel in the Vedado having garaged the car at 0540. No further word; no Saturday shopping. No go out in boat. Maybe after write this swim in pool. Have to swim for conscience sake.

I like Miguel very much and he is a hell of a nice guy. He is trying to help me get over my wanting to work which he considers sort of an obsession which in a man of my natural talents tastes and capabilities could be cured. Might be eminently possible. But I sort of doubt it.

Pete come down any time you want. We won't talk the picture. Just give me the gen on when and how. I called the Africa deal off when there was an announcement put out that never mentioned documentary and said I was going to write an original script and 'act' in it. The true idea and proposition was an ok one. Gen on Africa very bad now. I have some unfinished commitments there that I can explain but better not write and we can always get out here honorably and live with old Mouse. He is doing good now.

Think we have to seriously consider possibility of Hayward dying. Not good to consider but somethings you have to consider it. I don't know how anyone is going to go at the gate he goes and not have something give.

If my pals, NOT YOU, you're welcome as I wrote, come around this joint much more I will be death house material too. Am going to learn to be ruthless. Actually Miguel has been a very good boy; he knows I am working and keeps out of the way and I treat him like Mr. Bumby. He's good company and the most articulate matador I've ever known. He is very fond of you and that makes me fond of him. I wish we could fix it so he could drive John crazy in a picture. That would be one for you to write about. Think he could do it too.

You know when anything gets really bad and going to hell you just relax and ride it out and then start punching.

Thanks on the gen on what should ask on the picture. Will send to Rice. Glad new of J. Is good. Glad you have your work done. By schedule should be done tomorrow.

Expect you any time. The moon is full and there should be fish running as it wanes. Only thing is hurricanes that bitch everything. Been four so far but all gone up the gulf stream.

I shouldn't gamble with my back on a big fish this year. Swim a 440 every day and was in fine shape until the peoples came and killed me. Maybe all for the best. You asked where would go if couldn't take it here. Off the stern of the Pilar, slipped, and down 800 fathoms. Right now that is a nicer place." He adds a handwritten postscript about his wife, "Mary well and happy and exemplary in behavior. Sends love."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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