How to Sell Your Ernest Hemingway Autograph

To auction, sell or consign your Ernest Hemingway autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).

Reflecting on the Life of Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway is remembered as one of the most iconic American writers of the 20th century. Some of his most celebrated works include “For Whom the Bell Tolls, “The Sun Also Rises” and “A Farewell to Arms”. He was also remembered for his adventurous lifestyle that included living in Cuba for nearly 20 years, working as a war correspondent during World War II and his frequent travels.

Here Are Some of Our Ernest Hemingway Autograph Sales:

Autograph Letter Signed — Sold for $237,055

In January 1954 Ernest Hemingway was in in a serious plane crash that left him with critical injuries including a fractured skull, internal injuries and third degree burns. We sold a Hemingway signed letter from April 1954 to his lawyer, Alfred Rice, for $237,055. In this letter Hemingway mentions some outstanding bills, the extent of his injuries and recovery as well as his visits with many specialists.

Autograph Letter Signed That Inspired “The Old Man and the Sea” — Sold for $28,000

“The Old Man and the Sea” is one of Ernest Hemingway’s most acclaimed works. The novella revolves around an elderly fisherman who has a streak of poor luck before hooking a giant marlin in the Gulf Stream. We sold a remarkable Ernest Hemingway autograph letter signed from 8 May 1935 that inspired “The Old Man and the Sea” for $28,000. The letter recounts when he caught the legendary 500 pound marlin while fishing Bimini and is accompanied with the original handwritten envelope.

Learn about some of the Ernest Hemingway signed books we sold, including The Old Man and the Sea.

Autograph Letter Signed Twice Signed — Sold for $20,700

We realized $20,700 for an Ernest Hemingway autograph letter signed to his lawyer, Alfred Rice, about Rice’s poor management of Hemingway’s estate. This four page letter from 11-12 December 1956 details Hemingways desire to have the original manuscripts of “A Farewell to Arms” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” appraised by Harvard, instructions about the photography for “The Old Man and the Sea” and also elaborates that Rice should not enter a contract for “Death In the Afternoon”.

Signed and Inscribed Photo — Sold for $7,866

We sold a signed and inscribed photo of Ernest Hemingway at 27 years old for $7,866. Well-known photo was taken by photographer Helen Breakerby, who was famous for her candid and relaxed photography style. In white ink Hemingway writes, “To Whitney Darrow, with very best wishes, Ernest Hemingway / This picture slightly cock-eyed”.

Autograph Letter Signed Three Times — Sold for $7,500

We realized $7,500 for an Ernest Hemingway autograph letter signed that reports the birth of his son, Gregory, to fellow Algonquin Round Table member Robert Benchley. The letter also references other Algonquin Round Table members Donald Ogden Stewart and Dorothy Parker. The original envelope written by Hemingway, and postmarked postmarked 16 November 1931, is also included.

Autograph Letter Signed Regarding ”To Have and Have Not” — Sold for $6,875

We sold an Ernest Hemingway autograph letter likely written in March 1939 for $6,875. In this letter Hemingway writes to his attorney, Maurice Speiser, and discusses his depression-era novel “To Have and Have Not” and the censorship it faced in Detroit. The novel was considered controversial at the time and the impact of the censorship sparked ongoing debates of free speech and literature in our world.

Signed Photograph of a Lion While on Safari — Sold for $6,544

Ernest Hemingway was well-known for going on African safaris and the experiences influenced his personal life as well as his writings. We realized $6,544 for photo he took during a safari in Tanganyika. Sepia photo depicts a male lion with one paw upon a zebra he has just hunted and was signed and inscribed, “To Lynn Bogue Hunt from his friend / Ernest Hemingway”. Hunt was one of the most famous wildlife artists and illustrators of the 20th century.

Thanks for checking our top Ernest Hemingway autograph sales! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to consign your Ernest Hemingway autograph. Learn about some of the Ernest Hemingway signed books we’ve sold.

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Ernest Hemingway autograph?
Selling your Ernest Hemingway autograph has never been easier at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email us a description and images of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.

This sounds great and I’d like to move forward with consigning. What’s the next step?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following an auction.

What elements determine the value of an Ernest Hemingway autograph?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition, subject matter of the item and the year item was signed.