Old Man and the Sea ( Le Vieil Homme Et La Mer)

5b Ernest Hemingway. Paris: Gallimard, 1958. In French. SIGNED by Hemingway.

Notes

This edition was signed for a fan, when Ernest Hemingway was attending a bull fight in Nemes, France. Hemingway had gone there to watch Spanish Torero-Antonio Ordóñez (1932-1998) who was considered to be the first ranked bullfighter of the 1950's and 60's.

The Old Man and the Sea  first written in 1952 by Ernest Hemingway is a classic novel that tells the story of Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who embarks on an epic struggle to catch a giant marlin after enduring a long streak of bad luck. Battling the marlin for days, Santiago’s strength, endurance, and resilience are tested as he fights not only the fish but also his own physical limitations and the relentless forces of nature. Though he ultimately captures the marlin, sharks devour his prize, leaving him with only its skeleton as a testament to his hard-fought journey. The novel explores themes of perseverance, dignity, and the unbreakable human spirit.

The first “broché” (paperback) edition of Le Vieil Homme et la Mer was published the same year. This pocketable edition featured simple, original wrappers and made the work more accessible to a broader readership beyond collectors of deluxe "grand papier" copies. While the deluxe limited numbered editions on fine paper remain rare, this paperback version played a key role in bringing Hemingway’s celebrated novella into everyday hands across France.

Description

Paperback, some foxing on front and back cover. Hand cut pages, some still intact.Very good condition