73 - HEMINGWAY (Ernest). Signed autograph letter, in English, to Annie Davis. Aboard the ocean liner Liberté, October 28, 1959. One folio-sized page, with the French Line company’s printed letterhead and the notation “By air.”

HEMINGWAY (Ernest). Signed autograph letter, in English, to Annie Davis. Aboard the ocean liner Liberté, October 28, 1959. One folio-sized page, with the French Line company’s printed letterhead and the notation “By air.” A BEAUTIFUL LETTER OF ROMANTIC FRIENDSHIP THAT ALSO REFERS TO BULLFIGHTING. Ernest Hemingway was returning to the United States at the time after a stay in Europe that had taken him, among other places, to Spain for a series of articles on bullfights (featuring, among others, the famous Luis-Miguel Dominguín). There he had been hosted by the Americans Nathan, known as “Bill” Davis, and his wife, Annie: Bill went out of his way to help Hemingway, organized a lavish party for the writer’s 60th birthday... and in return was given the ironic nicknames “my little slave” and, by extension as here, “Negro.” “Dear Miss Annie, Negro will tell you what I just wrote him. Or maybe he won’t if he’s being mysterious, but ask him to. YOU WERE SO LOVELY AND WONDERFUL TO ME ALL THE TIME, and when I can’t kiss you good morning, it isn’t a good morning—much less... The books you found were fine, and I read one of the discoveries at lunch. A piece about the BULLFIGHT (I’d never seen one) where the writer was quite interesting in his misguidedness. Something I’ve never told you: I THINK YOU ARE VERY BEAUTIFUL AND I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU’RE MAKING DECISIONS—and I’ve never seen anyone obey with such good grace and so much style. My Annie, Ernesto” Ernest Hemingway then drew what looks like a kiss, with the autographed note: “Every morning.” Translation: “Dear Miss Annie, Negro will tell you what I just wrote to him. Or maybe he won’t, if he’s being secretive, but ask him. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO CHARMING AND WONDERFUL TO ME, and when I can’t say good morning to you with a kiss, it’s not a good day, mucho menos [much less]. The books you found are very good, and I read one of the discoveries over lunch. A piece on BULLFIGHTING (I’d never seen anything like it) where the writer was quite interesting in his mistake. Something I’ve never told you: I THINK YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, AND I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU MAKE DECISIONS—and I’ve never seen anyone obey with such grace and style. My Annie, your Ernesto” Ernest Hemingway then drew what looks like a kiss, with the autographed note: “Every morning.”