THREE STORIES & TEN POEMS
$60,000 · Offered by Biblio
First edition
[Paris]: (Contact Publishing Co.), 1923. First edition. Fine.. Stunning copy of Hemingway's legendary first published book, and among the rarest of his first editions. The typography and design of Hemingway's first book reflected the new Modernist style for which Hemingway would become known: spare, balanced, striking. In this as in his prose, Hemingway was influenced by Gertrude Stein, who advised a careful pick of typeface for the titles listed on the front wrapper, "good and black, but not squatty like the others" (quoted in Grissom, 26). 3STP was issued by Robert McAlmon's formative Modernist press, Contact, one of the original loci of the burgeoning movement. McAlmon also brought out numerous other classic expatriate texts, including Stein's epic monument THE MAKING OF THE AMERICANS, William Carlos Williams's SPRING AND ALL, Gertrude Beasley's cult feminist memoir MY FIRST THIRTY YEARS, Bryher's pioneering autobiographical lesbian novel TWO SELVES, and H.D.'s PALIMPSEST - though it was this Hemingway book that would ultimately become the most famous of all its publications. Poorly constructed and issued in an edition of only 300 copies, 3STP has become one of the most sought rarities of the 20th century and a cornerstone for any collection that documents the rise of Modernism. This copy is among the very best we've seen. 7'' x 4.75''. Original blue printed wrappers, uncut and partially unopened. [8], 58, [2] pages. Housed in custom blue cloth slipcase and chemise. Slight
- Publisher: (Contact Publishing Co.)
- Year: 1923
- Edition: First Edition
- Binding: unknown
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