A fine and rare inscribed portrait of Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn in Idaho, 1939-40

Lot 92

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United States

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Rare Books, Autographs & Maps

By Doyle

Nov 25, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-11-25 10:00:00 2025-11-25 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Rare Books, Autographs & Maps https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/doyle/rare-books-autographs-maps-21321 Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10am Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection Doyle info@doyle.com

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Lot Description

HEMINGWAY, ERNEST & GELLHORN, MARTHA Photograph inscribed by both Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn for the Idaho sporting guide Taylor Williams. Sun Valley, Idaho: circa 1939-40. A vintage gelatin silver print depicting the couple in 3/4 length with Ernest Hemingway pointing towards the mountains with one arm and the other wrapped around Martha Gellhorn, inscribed in ink on the image "For Taylor - Love, Marty / For Taylor my Pal Ernie" in their respective hands. Under his name, Hemingway has added a short flourish. 9 3/8 x 9 3/8 (24 x 24 cm). Some creases to corners and nicks to edges, attractive and dark overall. A fine, large, and rare inscribed photograph depicting Ernest Hemingway in western garb during the nascent period of his relationship with Martha Gellhorn, likely in 1939-40. Looking quite healthy and visionary, the couple face the sun as Hemingway points out something in the distance. The photograph is inscribed to Hemingway's great friend, the famed Sun Valley fishing and hunting guide, Taylor "Bear Tracks" Williams. Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn first met in December 1936, and in 1937, they traveled together to Spain to cover the impending civil war. Still married to his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, Hemingway divorced in 1939, the same year he and Gellhorn made their first visit to Ketchum. In 1940, Hemingway and Gellhorn married. From Spain, Gellhorn sent dispatches back to the U.S. for publication in Colliers; in 1940, Hemingway published his novel of the Spanish Civil War, For Whom the Bell Tolls, which was partially written in Ketchum (the photograph on the dust jacket verso depicting Hemingway at his typewriter was taken in Ketchum). In 1941, Hemingway accompanied Gellhorn on an assignment for Collier's to China, and also in that year the couple visited Ketchum again. They divorced in 1945. Photographs signed by both Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn during their relationship are exceptionally rare. This large image, with its forward-looking optimism, is one of the finest possible of Hemingway and Gellhorn in this important period.

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