Inscribed by Ernest and Mary Hemingway for the sporting guide Taylor "Bear Tracks" Williams with fishing content

Lot 97

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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 Photograph inscribed by Ernest and Mary Hemingway to Taylor Williams. A vintage black and white photograph depicting Ernest and Mary Hemingway with Taylor Williams, likely taken in Cuba in the mid-1950s. The photograph is inscribed and signed twice by Hemingway: "To Taylor / Best always / 2nd Prize Marlin / 1st Prize Dolphin / Papa / E. Hemingway." Mary Hemingway has also inscribed the photographs with "Love to Taylor / Mary." 8 x 10 inches. Perhaps a bit toned but fine overall, offered with a page from a Cuban newspaper with an image of Hemingway, Mary, Williams, and a prize fish; Together with a typed letter signed by Mary Hemingway, on Finca Vigia stationery, dated 27 May 1957, addressed to Williams (as "Colonel") mentioning a photograph (possibly this one) and with other good fishing content about her and Papa; A photograph depicting Mary Hemingway with Taylor Williams proudly holding up a prize fish, 8 x 10 inches, light wear; And another of Williams with rod and catch. A Hemingway inscribed photographs with an excellent fishing association. This photograph was likely taken in spring 1953 in Cuba during Williams' visit to fish in tournaments with Hemingway. In a letter also offered in this section, Hemingway invites Williams to Cuba to join him in various tournaments and here mentions winning first prize for dolphin and second for Marlin. Also an avid angler, Mary Hemingway has also inscribed the photograph. The photograph appears to have been taken in the trophy room of a club or private home after a day on the water. Ernest Hemingway first met Taylor "Beartracks" Williams, the legendary Sun Valley hunting and fishing guide, in Idaho in the late 1930s, and Hemingway would visit Ketchum often before settling in Idaho permanently. But this period in spring 1953 would also represent a highwater mark for the author, Hemingway had recently written and won the Pulitzer Prize for Old Man and the Sea, was still ahead of the two plane crashes in 1954 and being forced to leave Cuba during the rise of the Castro regime, events that greatly altered his life and contributed to his eventual suicide in 1961.

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