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Lot #432
Ernest Hemingway

Two weeks after Hemingway's back-to-back African plane crashes he humorously sends his secretary a health update: "The two balls are intact"

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Estimate: $2000+
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Description

Two weeks after Hemingway's back-to-back African plane crashes he humorously sends his secretary a health update: "The two balls are intact"

TLS, one page, 8 x 10, February 5, 1954. Written from the New Stanley Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, a letter to Roberto Herrera to whom he addresses as "Monster, Brother and Secretary," in full: "Thank you very much for the letters. I hope you received the one with the cheque and will pay Mayito whatever we owe him. Everybody is okay. Tel Feo that it was a concussion and with slight damage to the ears and some loss of vision which is rapidly returning. There was a slight injury to the kidneys con derrame y derrame de los otros orificios ["with leakage from the other holes"]. Saludos tu." Hemingway signs with his initials after an amusing Spanish postscript (translated): "The two balls are intact. There was cerebral leakage but contents ok. EH." In very good condition, with heavy overall staining, affecting only appearance. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed by Hemingway to his house in Cuba. Herrera was Hemingway's close friend, part-time secretary, and brother of his Cuban doctor; he frequently accompanied the writer on his exploits aboard the famous fishing boat Pilar. This short yet notable letter concerns Hemingway's two Ugandan plane crashes—in a space of 12 hours—which led to erroneous reports of his death. According to a report in Time magazine, Hemingway emerged from Africa 'carrying a bunch of bananas and a bottle of gin,' and was quoted as saying: ‘My luck, she is running very good.’

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #547 - Ended March 06, 2019





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