Hemingway, Ernest (1929) ‘A Farewell to Arms’, US signed limited edition

Ernest Hemingway (1929) ‘A Farewell to Arms‘, US signed limited edition, published by Charles Scribner’s Sons. One of 510 copies of which this is no. 71. Complete with the original paper slipcase. Housed in a beautiful quarter-bound leather chemise case which protects the book nicely on the shelf.

Condition: The original slipcase which is very prone to damage shows only some minimal rubbing and wear, but generally a fine example; the vellum spine which usually tends to develop ugly foxing is very nicely preserved in this specimen. It shows only very light toning; the spine label (which is vulnerable to damage) without any wear, small crease to vellum at the foot of the spine, boards with very minor toning from the slipcase as usual. A beautiful example. Protected in a chemise likely over 50 years old, quarter-bound red leather with five raised bands, title, author, year and first edition stamped in gild on the spine. Presents this masterpiece beautifully on the shelf.

A Farewell to Arms is Hemingway’s only signed limited edition [Hanneman A8b]. Inspired by autobiographical events during WW I, Hemingway renders this heartbreaking story (he wrote dozens of different endings before nailing it) in his typical style of short sentences and plain yet captivating language which underpin his iceberg theory. Even without The Old Man and the Sea (1952) Hemingway would have won the Nobel Prize in Literature which was given to him in 1954.