Hemingway, Ernest (1932) ‘Death in the Afternoon’, US signed and inscribed first edition – family association copy

Ernest Hemingway (1932) ‘Death in the Afternoon’, US first edition, first printing, published by Charles Scribner’s Sons. Signed and beautifully inscribed by Hemingway to his cousin Ruth Lowry on the front free endpaper: “To Ruth, in whose house the best parts of this book were written (in order not to break a precedent), with very much affection, Ernest Hemingway.”  Housed in a gorgeous brown full leather solander case with a Picasso style bullfighter embossed on the front panel. A great presentation.

Provenance: Ruth White Lowry (1884-1974), Hemingway’s cousin and Kansas City native. Hemingway and Pauline returned to Kansas City in 1931, as Pauline was pregnant with their second son, Gregory Hancock, and wished to have Dr. Guffey perform the cesarean delivery. The Hemingways lived first with Ernest’s cousin Ruth Lowry before moving into the Riviera Apartments when Pauline’s delivery nears. It was during this November stay when Hemingway completed Death in the Afternoon. A wonderful association.

Condition: near fine with minimal shelf wear to the book. The glassine separating the Picasso painting with the title page is present. The dust jacket has been restored by an expert conservationist and now presents in near fine condition with the spine a little darkened.

Death in the Afternnoon saw a first print run of 10,000 copies. It is considered the best book about bullfighting and contemplates wider topics of fear and courage.