Description
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemingway, 1940 — First Edition, First Issue
The book offered here is a true first edition, first issue of Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, published by Charles Scribner’s Sons in 1940, presented in its original first-state dust jacket and inscribed by Hemingway.
For Whom the Bell Tolls is widely regarded as one of Hemingway’s masterworks, set during the Spanish Civil War and drawing on his own experience as a war correspondent in Spain. The novel was a major critical and commercial success on publication and remains one of the most collected Hemingway first editions on the market today. This copy is identified as a true first edition, first issue by the “A” present on the copyright page — the standard point collectors look for to confirm first printing status. Also, the photographer of Hemingway on the back dust jacket panel is not credited.
Inscription
Arthur Howard, was possibly Arthur D. Howard, a noted geologist, who, on his return to the United States in early 1946, joined the U.S. Geological Survey. During his two years on permanent status, he pursued his 5-year project on the Cenozoic history of northeastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota. He also served as Survey Geologist on Operation Highjump (the fourth Byrd expedition) to Antarctica during the Antarctic summer of 1946-1947. Ref.: Geosociety
Operation Highjump’s task force departed U.S. ports in early December 1946 — on December 2, 1946, U.S. Naval Task Force 68 departed Norfolk, Virginia, while a separate Western Group built around the seaplane tender USS Currituck sailed from a Pacific port. commanders of the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets each designated six ships for the expedition… The Western Group was built around the seaplane tender USS Currituck. Ref.: The Arctic InstituteCoast Guard Aviation History
So, in November 1946, Howard would have been finishing up his Montana fieldwork and preparing to head out for embarkation. If Howard had needed to travel from Montana (or Washington, D.C., where USGS was headquartered) toward a West Coast departure port in California for the Western Group, a multi-stop flight routing through Salt Lake City — a known refueling hub on western transcontinental and connecting routes — fits naturally. Documentable reason: Howard was en route to join a literal polar expedition. By chance or design, Howard met Ernest Hemingway in Salt Lake City, Utah and had this first edition inscribed. If that were the circumstance, FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, must have been one of Howard’s favorite books, to be carrying it about and reading on his trip to Montana. Coincidently, locales in Montana were some of Hemingway’s favorite hunting and fishing places.
Book Condition
The book is in very fine condition. Cloth is clean and bright. Red and black printing on spine and cover is also bright with only a slight hint of wear noticeable on spine. Upper righthand corner of front cover bumped; other corners on front and back covers are sqaure. Internal pages are clean, bright, near fresh. Spine is strong, feels as if carefully read. Dust jacket is in fine condition with only hints of scratching or rubbing. Very slight spine fading; red stripes are bright; light nearly matches light blue of front cover.
Authentication & Provenance
This book was purchased from a reliable bookseller; however, we understand that may not mean as much as us guaranteeing both the book’s and the inscription’s authenticity. Therefore, we, as having been a bookseller for over 35 years, guarantee the authenticity of the Ernest Hemingway inscription and signature.
Shipping & Guarantee
For a book of this quality we use the USPS Registered and fully insured service. This will add a noticeable postage amount; however, this USPS service has a 99% deliver rate. As book is mailed, purchaser will receivea USPS registered tracking number. Registered and insured mail covers the purchase price of this book.
COLORADO ARTIFACTUAL
