HEMINGWAY, Ernest (1899-1961). Typed Letter Signed to Arnold Gingrich (1903-1976). Key West, Florida, April 12, [1934]. One and one-half typed pages plus a manuscript paragraph and some notes in pencil by Hemingway, on two pages. Approximately 10 1/2 x 8". On plain brown paper. With typed mailing envelope, with "Special Delivery" in Hemingway's hand, and with Hemingway's typed return address on verso. A WONDERFUL LETTER IN WHICH HEMINGWAY THANKS GINGRICH (HIS FRIEND AND PUBLISHER OF ESQUIRE MAGAZINE) FOR AN ADVANCE, TALKS ABOUT BUYING HIS BOAT, HIS TIME IN AFRICA, AND HE MENTIONS THE TANGANYIKA LETTERS. 

Some excerpts: "Thanks for raising the 3G. As I understand it you want to be covered in case. I bump off without writing ten articles without a raise in price on same. O. K. If I bump off (which gord [sic] forbid) owing you money my wife will pay you what is due i.e. if I have written eight article and owe you two, the price still not having been raised, she will send you check for 500 at same time as paying undertaker. Thus will the associates be covered like the robins coverink [sic] the babes in the woods with real oak leaves..." "Now about subject. I think ought to shift from Africa. Mustn't go on too long about anything. Will write next letter - for what Month is it? I missed May I believe and then have them in June an July and next no. is August isn't it? Will write it on fishing. And then write on any goddamn thing to make every other one, if possible, a funny one. Or maybe you don't think I an funny." "I saw Balmer [Edwin Balmer, an early friend and mentor] in N. Y. The little skiff [the Pilar] is costing 7 G without putting anything that I really want or any bloody luxuries. But is going to have eveything [sic] a fishing machine needs..." "... I wish I could find such an old trunk and dig a few more pieces on Cuba, Spain, Paris and Tanganyika out of it [the Tanganyika letters are a series of three letters Hemingway submitted to Esquire Magazine for publication, detailing his safari, and these served as the basis of Green Hills of Africa (1935)]...""Never had a better time in my life than in Africa, never felt in better shape in spite of that damned amoebic recurring all the time, last session day before yesterday, and feel so bloody removed from all that literary crap that was getting on my nerves." At top of the first page, he writes in pencil: "The Tin Gingrich. was just an error in spelling. I don't kid about names." 

Each page with marginal minor edgewear, one vertical and one horizontal creases; envelope worn, canceled with inkstamps on recto and verso and torn open at top. Still, fine.