Books

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. First edition. Fine/Fine. A Fine copy in like dust jacket, becoming increasingly scarce in this condition. Book with the silver spine gilt fresh and unrubbed. Previous owner's bookplate on the front paste-down and a penciled name written on the front free end paper. Unclipped dust jacket with slight rubbing at the base of the spine and a small scuff on the lower panel, otherwise fresh and whole, without chips or tears. An excellent copy overall. The final work of fiction published in the author's lifetime, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and cited by the Nobel Prize Committee, The Old Man and the Sea cemented Hemingway's legacy as one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. The story follows the tribulations of an aging and suddenly unlucky fisherman, Santiago, as he tries to catch a gigantic marlin in the Straits of Florida. Ultimately, Santiago's story is an existential metaphor through which Hemingway explored in a…

"The Old Man and the Sea" is a novella written by Ernest Hemingway and published in 1952. Set in the Gulf Stream off the coast of Cuba, the story follows Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman, as he engages in an epic struggle against a massive marlin, a battle that becomes a profound test of his strength, endurance, and determination. The novella begins with Santiago, who has not caught a fish in 84 days, feeling unlucky and discouraged. Despite the skepticism of others, Santiago remains determined to prove himself and set out to sea alone in his small skiff, the "Santíago." He sets his lines far out into the Gulf Stream and patiently waits for a catch. After a long wait, Santiago finally feels a tug on one of his lines and realizes he has hooked a massive marlin. The ensuing battle between man and fish is grueling and intense, with Santiago struggling against the marlin's immense strength and refusing to give up despite exhaustion and physical pain. As the struggle continues, Santiago's thoughts turn to the nature of life, fate, and the human condition. He reflects on his own mortality and the passage of time, finding solace in memories of his youth and past accomplishments. Throughout the ordeal, Santiago demonstrates courage, resilience, and a deep connection to the natural world. Eventually, after a relentless struggle lasting several days, Santiago manages to harpoon the marlin and lash it alongside his skiff. However, Santiago's triumph is short-lived, as sharks are drawn to the marlin's blood and begin to attack the carcass, destroying Santiago's prize catch. Despite the loss of the marlin, Santiago returns to shore with his head held high, earning the respect and admiration of his fellow fishermen. Although physically defeated, Santiago emerges spiritually triumphant, having proved his worth as a fisherman and reaffirmed his dignity in the face of adversity. "The Old Man and the Sea" is a timeless tale of courage, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. Hemingway's spare and evocative prose captures the beauty and brutality of the natural world, while Santiago's struggle against the marlin serves as a powerful metaphor for the universal human experience of striving against the odds.

Identifying a first edition of 'The Old Man and the Sea' can typically be determined by the publisher's name, Charles Scribner's Sons, with an 'A' present on the copyright page, and no subsequent print dates listed. The jacket is a brown and blue design. Octavo. Light blue calico-grain cloth, spine lettered in silver. The rear photograph of the author is tinted in either blue or brown. There are unresolved disputes between experts on which tint came first, though brown has preference in the book collecting community.