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Ernest Hemingway — A Farewell to Arms
Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1929
First edition, first printing, first issueHardcover. No dust jacket.
This is a first-issue copy of Hemingway’s World War I novel, published 27 September 1929. Many 1929 Scribner copies look the same on the outside. The first issue is identified by what is not on the page after the dedication.
Why this is a first edition, first issue
Scribner’s first printed about 31,050 copies. Later printings in 1929 used the same black cloth and gold labels. Collectors separate the first issue by these points (Hanneman A8a):
• Title page dated 1929: A FAREWELL TO ARMS / By ERNEST HEMINGWAY / NEW YORK / CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS / 1929
• Copyright page: Copyright, 1929, by Charles Scribner’s Sons / Printed in the United States of America, with The Scribner Press seal. No later printing is listed.
• First-issue point: the back of the dedication page (TO G. A. PFEIFFER) is blank. Beginning with the second printing, Scribner’s added Hemingway’s legal disclaimer there: “None of the characters in this book is a living person, nor are the units or military organizations mentioned actual units or organizations. —E. H.” This copy does not have that disclaimer.
• Text runs to page 355 and ends THE END (“After a while I went out and left the hospital and walked back to the hotel in the rain.”).
• Publisher’s dark cloth with the original gold paper labels on the front board and spine. The name on the labels is printed, not a signature.
What you are buying
The exact hardcover in the photos.
No dust jacket. The first-issue jacket (Cleon design, $2.50 price, “Katharine Barclay” misspelling) is not included.
Condition: GoodWear consistent with a 1929 book that has been read and shelved:
• Dark cloth scuffed and spotted, with cloudy light patches on the front board; rear board rubbed.
• Corners bumped and worn; boards showing through in places.
• Spine ends frayed. Front label present and legible. Spine label cracked through HEMINGWAY and lifting at one edge.
• Page edges tanned. Photographed text leaves are cream and clean.
• Front pastedown: period Ex-Libris bookplate for Thomas Edward Filbert. Decorative owner’s plate, not a known association.
• Rear pastedown: old pencil notes 2.50 / hcs / 0929 — likely a period bookseller code using the original $2.50 published price. Not an author signature.
• Hinges are intact.
Please use the photos as the condition statement. Ask questions before buying.
Ships USPS Media Mail with tracking. Combined shipping on multiple purchases. Sold as shown.
