One of the 20th century's most famous American writers. From his experience in the Spanish Civil War came his great novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954 and guaranteed his renown by committing suicide in 1961. TLS signed “Papa,” one page, 8.25 x 11, Finca Vigia, San Francisco De Paula, Cuba letterhead, July 19, 1954. A letter to Peter Viertel. In part: “Thanks for the letters and the telephone call. I’ve sent the dope to Rice. Kohner wrote yes too and said he would get in touch with Rice after he had been with John. What gives with Ava [Gardner] and L.M.? Riddle me that one. Kohner said John would like to make a picture out of Death In The Afternoon. You should be getting valuable experience now to write a script for it. Don’t catch kidney stones. Mary is fine (or was until she had to go see her father…he won’t take medecine [sic] and wants 24 hr. nursing service from Mary. How’s your bursitis. I have lion fat…Do you want me to send some. You rub it on and in but maybe it is good if you eat it too. Everything about me is clearing up good. Have the blood pressure down to 160 over 70 and it will get further down. Kidneys functioning good. Liver same. They put me on a normal diet and said to drink according to my own judgement. Only thing is I am slow and tire easier than I should. But that is natural and I will train out of it. It has been hot as hell but every place else worse. Sitting here in a hot July probably accounts for lack of pep, too…Excuse dull letter Pete. No news nor scandal here…going through old check stubs. 1953 ultimate up or down revision on Income Tax…I liked it better in Hurtgen or at the shamba. Much better at the shamba; Kwenda na shamba.” [A reference to True at First Light, a posthumously-released safari story.] In fine condition, with scattered creasing. Peter Viertel was the author of the book Dangerous Friends and the screenplays for The Sun Also Rises, and The Old Man and the Sea. Viertel also worked on the screenplay for The African Queen (uncredited). COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
