Hemingway Firsts
Ernest Hemingway, one of America’s most beloved authors, is always in demand among book collectors. Titles like “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” can fetch thousands of dollars; depending, of course, upon the condition and its status as a first edition.
Fortunately, for titles like these, true first editions, first printings are generally easy to separate from later editions. Savvy book collectors just need to know what to look for.
In the case of “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” there are a few points of issue that can help identify first editions:
The copyright page should indicate a date of 1940, with no subsequent printings noted. The date should match the date on the title page, as well. Some later editions will state 1940 on the copyright page, but a later year on the bottom of the title page.
The copyright page should also have either the letter “A” printed on a line by itself, under the “All rights reserved” disclaimer, or the Scribner’s Sons colophon, but not both. If the “A” or the logo aren’t present, it is a later printing of the first edition, and isn’t as valuable as a first printing.
Check the dust jacket. A true first edition, first printing dust jacket will not have a photographer credit under Hemingway’s portrait on the back. It should also have a price of $2.75 on the top of the front flap.
Similar issue points exist for Hemingway’s other works - matching, correct copyright dates, the proper marking on the copyright page, and prices and indicators on dust jackets. These points can be easy to miss in the excitement of finding what may appear to be a good deal, but keeping them in mind will ensure what you purchase is an authentic Hemingway first edition, as will selecting books from a trusted seller.
