Details
HEMINGWAY, Ernest. Autograph letter signed ("Ernest") to Jane Mason in Havana; n.p., n.d. [envelope marked Key West, 14 February 1933]. 4 pages, small 4to, brown ink on two sheets of tan paper, slight fold creases, small area on last page a bit darkened from offset, but in crisp condition; with the envelope hand-addressed by Hemingway.
"PAPA IS STILL REALLY WORKING [ON 'WINNER TAKE NOTHING']"
"...What about you and Grant coming over to fish and see the sights? In a little while there will be good tarpon fishing -- anyway we can always go out in the boat and have a good time...The coat [a gift from Jane] was very welcome but we would rather see you, both both of youse, coming in bringing an empty manzanilla bottle or a spark plug from Grant's first motorcycle than to get fine presents sent from a long way away. Now, Madame, out of your indomitable energy don't counter this proposition with a wire suggesting that we all fly to Peru to see the Inca roller skating ascot -- because Papa is still really working and while he courts and embraces salubrious interruptions by the arrival of old friends yet must absolutely finish this book [Winner Take Nothing] by April and won't stir foot out of these waters until it's done. I had a lot of energy too when I was 24 (that's a lie I never had any) -- anyhow if you have time write a couple of stories for this book -- it needs two more good ones as what book doesn't..." In the remaining two pages of the letter Hemingway writes about his sister Carol and her would-be husband John Gardner (he was against the marriage, which did take place the following month), and gives news of his wife Pauline, etc. He closes: "Love to Tony [the boy the Masons had adopted that fall] -- it's funny how much he looks like both of you."
"PAPA IS STILL REALLY WORKING [ON 'WINNER TAKE NOTHING']"
"...What about you and Grant coming over to fish and see the sights? In a little while there will be good tarpon fishing -- anyway we can always go out in the boat and have a good time...The coat [a gift from Jane] was very welcome but we would rather see you, both both of youse, coming in bringing an empty manzanilla bottle or a spark plug from Grant's first motorcycle than to get fine presents sent from a long way away. Now, Madame, out of your indomitable energy don't counter this proposition with a wire suggesting that we all fly to Peru to see the Inca roller skating ascot -- because Papa is still really working and while he courts and embraces salubrious interruptions by the arrival of old friends yet must absolutely finish this book [Winner Take Nothing] by April and won't stir foot out of these waters until it's done. I had a lot of energy too when I was 24 (that's a lie I never had any) -- anyhow if you have time write a couple of stories for this book -- it needs two more good ones as what book doesn't..." In the remaining two pages of the letter Hemingway writes about his sister Carol and her would-be husband John Gardner (he was against the marriage, which did take place the following month), and gives news of his wife Pauline, etc. He closes: "Love to Tony [the boy the Masons had adopted that fall] -- it's funny how much he looks like both of you."