Hemingway, Ernest | The autograph manuscript of "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." [Key West, finished April 1936]

Hemingway, Ernest

The autograph manuscript of his story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." [Key West, finished April 1936]

104 pages (including three inserted pages), 4to, in pencil on rectos only, a working first draft with extensive revisions by Hemingway; the first four pages and an inserted page (at page 11) on white paper, 210 x 120 mm (10 ½ x 8 ¼ in.), the first page slightly stained, the second page more so, several marginal tears in the third professionally mended, the rest of the manuscript on sheets of poor quality paper, 211 x 210 mm (10 7/8 x 8 ¼ in.), several corners and a few edges slightly chipped, just touching a word at a few places, bottom edges of pages 55 and 58 frayed with partial loss of a few words, top edge of page 64 chipped, light mostly marginal dampstaining to last seven pages, each sheet in acid-free Mylar sleeve; considering the nature of the paper used and the length of the manuscript, it is actually in quite good condition.