Transcriptions of Letter and Manuscript ExcerptsPart One: 1953-1956

Key:ALS Autograph Letter SignedAN Autograph NoteANS Autograph Note SignedTL Typed LetterTLS Typed Letter SignedEH Ernest Hemingway

ALS EH. 22 Feb 1953, Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba, to Gianfranco [Ivancich], 2 pp. “We have come at a most interesting time. Just in time to see the great Hemingway cry because he has to kill a cat.”

“Certainly missed you. Miss Uncle Willie. Have had to shoot people but never anyone I knew and loved for eleven years. Nor anyone that purred with two broken legs.”

TLS Mary with ANS Papa, ANS EH, and TLS Papa. 15 Apr 1953, Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba, to Gianfranco [Ivancich], 3 pp.

“Mary and I went for thirteen days to Paraiso before having to come back for the Hayward business. It was much better weather than last year and there were many more fish. We caught an average of 20 good fish a day; many beautiful big yellow tails and pargos. Not as many groupers (cherna) as last year. I trained hard and got in fine shape; no belly and indio tostado color. Mary was in wonderful shape too and very happy. She caught the most fish and that made her even happier. Fishing in the Tin Kid is certainly lots of exercise. I always think of you and the big marlin of last year.”

TLS with AN Papa and ANS [Mary Welsh Hemingway]. 5 Jun 1953, Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba, to Illustre Compadre [Gianfranco Ivancich], 2 pp.

“Give my best to every one that I know. Adriana gave no address in Capri so please tell her all this with any bad words removed. Weather still looks bad but barometer o.k. No word yet from Doctor Salas. The book is back on the Best Seller lists due to the ig-noble Prize.”

ALS Papa. [4] or [8] Aug 1953, to Gianfranco [Ivancich], 1 p., airmail correspondence

“I hope all the animals in Africa play canasta.”

ALS Mr. Papa . 6 Aug 1953, Aix en Provence, to Gianfranco [Ivancich], 1 p.

“ Please put the rest of the money for me in the Safe in the Gritti in an envelope. Thanks very much. Hope everyone well and happy. Twas a beautiful trip down here. Drove very easily in 2 days leaving at noon. Love from us both, Mr. Papa.”

TL and ALS Papa. 31 Oct 1953, Nairobi, to Gianfranco [Ivancich], 1 p.

“Am sending this to the Finca. Please use the Torre there. If you have time write me any news. I do not think we will be home until April. Mary wants to stay and I am learning new things every day. Ciao Papa.”

ALS Papa. 1 Dec 1953, Kilimanjaro, to Gianfranco [Ivancich], 2 pp.

“Working with Ty Theissen she learned a lot about photography. She is a different girl (and a different photographer) from Spain. She killed the last four animals she shot at with one shot apiece. We shoot good together now.”

TLS Papa with AN. 25 May 1956, Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba, to Gianfranco [Ivancich], 2 pp.

“Gianfranco, it is hard to write a letter about your going away without being sentimental and it is very hard to write a letter to Venice without mentioning Adriana, but I am doing it just the same.”

“We miss you very much and it is lonesome to have somebody around as you were and have them like a brother and have them go away. Now I have no brother and no good drinking friend nor hard-working banana grower. Everybody remembers you with so much affection and sends very best wishes.”