To Ruth, With Much Love
Hemingway inscribed the book to his cousin, Ruth Lowry
Sponsored by Freeman’s | Hindman
"To call this book exceptional would be an understatement,” said Christopher Brink, Senior Specialist in Books & Manuscripts at Hindman, referring to a presentation copy of Ernest Hemingway’s Three Short Stories and Ten Poems coming up for auction at the Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana sale on November 13. ($60,000-$80,000).
Hemingway’s first published book contains the stories “Up in Michigan,” “Out of Season,” and “My Old Man,” along with ten poems—six of which had appeared in Poetry in January 1923. The remaining four poems and all three stories made their debut in this volume, published by Contact Publishing Co in an edition of 300 and printed in Dijon by Maurice Darantiere, the same printer Sylvia Beach used for Ulysses the year prior. While the book did not sell well, it introduced the world to a major new literary voice and marked an early critical success for Hemingway when his story “My Old Man,” a tale of a boy’s disillusionment with his corrupt jockey father, was selected for The Best Short Stories of 1923.
As one of only 300 copies, Hemingway’s first book is already rare and extremely collectable, but what makes this copy so exceptional are its flawless condition and the unique provenance.
“For modern first editions, condition is one of the most important factors in determining value—followed closely by whether the book is inscribed by the author,” said Brink. “The copy of Hemingway’s Three Stories in our November sale is one of the finest we’ve seen come to market. It appears unread, with unopened pages, still in its original glassine wrapper, and inscribed to Hemingway’s cousin, Ruth Lowry. This association is remarkable: Hemingway stayed with her in Kansas City while writing several of his major novels during the births of his first two children.”
Hemingway inscribed the front free endpaper, “To Ruth, with much love - Ernest Hemingway.” The writer and his second wife Pauline, pregnant with their first son, Patrick, arrived in Kansas City in 1928. They lived with Ruth, and her husband William Malcolm Lowry, while awaiting the birth of Patrick. While the birth was successful, it required a life-threatening cesarean section. Pauline subsequently needed a lengthy recovery period in the hospital, time that Hemingway put into writing his first novel, A Farewell to Arms.
Hemingway and Pauline again returned to stay with Ruth and Malcolm in Kansas City in 1931 while preparing for the birth of their second child. The Hemingways eventually moved into the Rivera Apartments before the birth. During that Kansas City visit, Hemingway completed Death in the Afternoon. Hemingway later wrote a note to Ruth informing her that the “best parts” of Death in the Afternoon were written in her house.
As host to one of the greatest writers of the 20th century during critical times in his life, Ruth contributed to the production of two literary classics. Hemingway’s concise and meaningful inscription in Three Short Stories and Ten Poems demonstrates his love and appreciation for Ruth and will surely elevate this copy in the eyes of Hemingway collectors.
