ERNEST HEMINGWAY - HAND-SIGNED FIRST EDITION OF FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

Provenance and Authenticity:

This item includes a certificate of authenticity.
This premier literary artifact features the authentic hand-signed signature of Ernest Hemingway, typically executed in fountain pen ink on the front free endpaper or title page. Hemingway's signature from the 1940s is characterized by its bold, rhythmic flow and aggressive forward lean, with a distinctive sharp "E" and a sweeping, high-arched "H." Authentication involves a rigorous analysis of ink oxidation and pressure points—genuine examples show natural variation in ink density—and verifying the signature's placement relative to the publisher's markings to ensure it is contemporary to the 1940 release.

Description:

ERNEST HEMINGWAY

Description:

The lot consists of the First Edition, First Printing of For Whom the Bell Toils, published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1940, bound in the original beige oatmeal cloth with a black-stamped facsimile signature on the front cover and a black-and-red title label on the spine. It is strictly identified as a first printing by the essential letter "A" and the Scribner's Seal on the copyright page, while the rare "First State" dust jacket is distinguished by the absence of the photographer's credit (Lloyd Arnold) under the portrait of Hemingway on the rear panel and must display the original $2.75 price without any clipping or modification.

Description:

Widely regarded as Hemingway's most ambitious and successful novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls is the definitive literary account of the Spanish Civil War and represents the height of his "Iceberg Theory" of prose, where the minimalist dialogue masks deep philosophical explorations of death, sacrifice, and political ideology. Published during his high-profile relationship with Martha Gellhorn, a signed copy from this era represents the peak of Hemingway's global celebrity and his transition into the role of a Nobel Prize-caliber literary titan who influenced generations of writers worldwide.

Description:

A verified hand-signed copy commands a massive premium due to Hemingway's selective signing habits compared to unsigned first editions with a first-state jacket which typically trade between $1,500 and $3,000. In the current market, "Fine" condition copies with vibrant, unchipped jackets and bold signatures are considered blue-chip assets, while "Association Copies" inscribed to known members of the International Brigades or literary contemporaries can realize auction prices exceeding $35,000 at specialized marquee sales.

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