Lot 422
Hemingway, Ernest. Letter signed ("Ernest Hemingway"), 1½ pages, 8½ x 5½ in., January 15, 1961. The transmittal envelope is postmarked Rochester, Minn., where the Mayo Clinic was located. Hemingway spent time there, ostensibly to treat his high blood pressure, but really to treat his depression. To Roy P Gates in Los Angeles, who had known Hemingway's son, Jack, when the two were in a private school in France, l'École du Mont Cel., telling Roy where to find Jack, or "Bumby" as he was called. The letter is written in a feminine hand, whether by Hemingway's wife, Mary, or by a nurse. In part: "You can find Bumby, they call him Jack, at 301 Montgomery Street, San Francisco….I know he'd be glad to hear from you, so let him know where you are. When we ran the recon into Paris the head of the Army, Le Clerc and Co., went a little to the left of where you guys were at school together. Thanks very much for writing me here. Everything is under control, they tell me now and it's only a matter of holding the weight down to a poundage that is difficult for me to make, but not impossible. Should be finished here the end of this week. Best always and I hope we will meet again before too long." Accompanied by two pages from the July 12, 1990 issue of the Daily News, showing Roy Gates holding this letter and claiming that it was the last letter written by Hemingway, who shot himself on July 2, 1961. It is certainly one of the last letters Hemingway wrote.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
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| Realized $840 |
