Hemingway, Ernest 

Death in the Afternoon. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1932

🐻8vo. Original black clot🍒h, gilt; spine ends rubbed with a spot of frayed loss at tail, gilt somewhat dulled. Cloth slipcase.

First edition with a reluctant inscription by the author in the midst of feuding with the publisher: "To Miss Anne 🦄Roe with my very bes൩t wishes, Ernest Hemingway September 1932"

Accompanied by a rather amusing typed letter on Scribner's letterhead, dated 5 October, 1932, just two weeks after Death in Afternoon was published. Therein Sterling Galt of th𓆉e Scribner's Trade Sales Department explains how unusual getting a signed copy of the book is, "Under separate cover I am sending you an inscribed, signed copy... He hates to autograph books but finally consented to do ten so yours is one of only ten existing autographed copies which makes it of considerable value." He then adds an autograph postscript asking Miss Roe to keep the presentation confidential... "there are a great many who feel badly if they knew there were💟 any autographed copies at all!" 

It seems that Hemingway was not in fact reluctant to sign books in general, especially for friends, but signing copies on behalf of the publisher's request presented more of an issue — especially as he was then rather dissatisfied with Scribner's handling of Death in the Afternoon so far. He chafed at the galleys he wasꦺ sent that had the title "Hemingway's Death" that aroused his superstitious nature, and the publicity that was issued often referenced material that he had cut froꦑm the final text. Even the publicity photos used proved irksome. He wrote Max Perkins, "for christ sake no more of those open mouth open collar wonders. Promise me that..."

Given Hemingway's mood around꧒ the work's publication, it does seem quite an achievement that Miss Roe received the pre🌟sent copy. 

"... the author at his best, first as a writer and second as someone who was never satisfied with knowing only a little about his subject but who always dug deeply until he had both the essence and the smallest details" (Charles M. Oliver, Ernest Hemingway A to Z. New York, 1999, p. 74).

REFERENCE:

Hanneman A10a

PROVENANCE:

Anne Roe (presentation inscription)