THREE STORIES & TEN POEMS
Stunning copy of Hemingway's legendary first published book, and among the rarest of his first editions.
Fine.
Price: $60,000.00
THREE STORIES & TEN POEMS
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.
Read more: Grissom, Ernest Hemingway: A Descriptive Bibliography, A.1.1.a.
The Object
First edition. [Paris]: (Contact Publishing Co.), (1923). 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 lean, with a couple small creases and minimal wear to spine. Else clean, fresh, and beautifully intact.
The Fine Print
We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.
We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.
All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.
All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Ground Advantage. International orders over $1000 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.
International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.





