Published by Grosset & Dunlap, New York; 1937. 8vo. 262pp. First edition thus, first impression. Condition: Near Fine/Good-.
Bound in original orange cloth boards with Hemingway's name stamped in cursive to the front and title in black to the spine. The binding is square and tight, with no marks or damage, save for a little bumping at the edges. Inside, the pages are clean and bright, free from blemishes or signs of wear. The top edge is still stained blue/black.
The book is housed in its original first-issue dust jacket. Although there is minor rubbing to the rear, the front panel and spine remain vibrant and bright. There is significant shelf wear on the jacket, with chipping and wear at the corners and edges. There is a long tear running approximately. two-thirds of the way down the front edge of the spine, and some loss at the top of the spine. The jacket is now preserved in a plastic sleeve to prevent further damage and wear. Front flap states, 'The publication of this complete and unabridged new edition at a low price is made possible
In all, this is a collectable example of the first Grosset and Dunlap edition, complete and unabridged, published using the same plates as the first edition and complete with the A through the copyright page. It tells the dramatic and brutal tale of Harry Morgan, an honest boat owner forced to run contraband between Cuba and Key West to keep his crumbling family afloat. His adventures lead him into the world of the wealthy yachtsmen who swarm the region, and involve him in a strange and unlikely love affair. In this harshly realistic yet oddly tender and wise novel, Hemingway explores the personal struggles of both the 'haves' and 'have nots', creating a subtle and moving portrait of a love affair. The work is both funny and tragic, lively and poetic, and takes literary high adventure to a new level — a must-have for any Hemingway collection.