Description:

Hemingway Ernest

Ernest Hemingway Draft & Corrected Letters to Fulgencio Batista in a Large Archive of Cuban Interest!


Six typed letter carbons from Mary Hemingway to Cuban lawyer Dr. Mario Lazo, together with his 4 typed responses, June 23, 1958-April 13, 1959, two signed in carbon, "Mary" or "Mary Hemingway."



Together with:



1 page manuscript draft of a letter by Ernest Hemingway; 3 typed drafts of Mary Hemingway’s letter to President Batista, with Ernest Hemingway's edits, most notably the phrase "be a monument" on "First Draft" of August 1, 1958 letter; 1 typed translation of Mary Hemingway’s letter, docketed at the top right corner, “For Mrs. Hemingway;” 2 Xerox memos, in Spanish.



Mary Hemingway was spurred to write to Dr. Mario Lazo after she became concerned about the possibility that billboards would ruin the view on a new scenic road on the Via Blanca, in Cuba. The Via Blanca is a highway in Northern Cuba that connects Havana to Matanzas; this highway and the Bacunayagua Bridge – Cuba’s highest – were completed in 1961. Hemingway wrote to Lazo in hopes that he could suggest a person or a government department to whom she could write a letter raising her anxieties.



Hemingway’s letters are typed on Finca Vigia (“Lookout Farm”) stationery, where the Hemingway’s lived in Cuba. Lazo’s letters are typed on his Lazo Y Cubas letterhead. Lazo is not mentioned in biographies on Ernest Hemingway, or in Mary’s autobiography, How it Went. As revealed by the tone in both Hemingway and Lazo’s letters, they appear to have been fond acquaintances.



Hemingway’s letters reveal her own writing talent. She opens her first letter to Lazo recounting a pleasurable experience driving on the new highway: "The other day Ernest and I drove over the wonderful new Via Monumental and then out along the Via Blanca all the way to where the paving ends, about 30 kms. from Matansas. The two roads together provide an unusually beautiful drive, following the sea to Boca de Jeruco then lifting an curving into the hills with a lovely new vista every moment of lush valleys, groves of royal palms, a glimpse of the sea again at Canasi, and inland a long ridge of handsome, rugged hills. The drive gave us a great sense of freedom and beauty." (June 23, 1958)



She closes the letter asking if there is a way to prevent spoiling the view with signboards, and if this is a matter worth pursuing. Lazo responds enthusiastically, agreeing with Hemingway and saying that he will take up the matter with the “proper authorities.” (June 25, 1958)



Hemingway suggests that she do an illustrated story for a U.S. magazine – since the signage problem was prevalent in the States as well – but insists that she does not to interfere or receive attention for her efforts. Lazo responds with a long letter and an memo detailing signage laws on the Via Blanca. He suggests that she make an appeal to the Cuban Chamber of Commerce.



Hemingway wrote to President Batista himself, using as a model a draft written by her husband. Hemingway lifts an entire section of her husband’s draft to use as a closing for her final draft. He wrote three numbered points, and the third point reads: "This road, if kept as beautiful and unspoiled as it is, will always be a monument to those who built it. It is easy of access due to a prodigious engineering feat, the tunnel, and it gives those who come to the new great hotels a drive as beautiful as any in the world. No man can make the Yumuri Valley but one man can keep the sight of it unspoiled for millions. This is entirely aside from the great utilitarian service of the road of which there is no need to speak. If you keep its beauty from being destroyed I think you will always be proud of your action. I will close this letter and not both you further." (n.d. circa late July/early August, 1958)



Over the word bother, Hemingway has written the “molest” in parentheses. Mary Hemingway’s final draft incorporates this entire section, save for the sentence that begins, “This is entirely aside…” and she employs her husband’s suggestion to use the word “molest” instead of bother in the final line. (August 4, 1958)



Lazo’s letter in response to this informs Hemingway that the President was receptive to her argument. The Cuban Revolution,and Batista's overthrow of weeks before, however, thwarted any attempt at reaching a definitive point in the matter. Lazo’s final letter to Hemingway informs, vaguely, “the purpose of this letter is to let you know that we are still very much interested in the billboard matter and feel sure that one of these days we will capture the hill.” (March 16, 1959)



Mary's final letter of April 13, 1959, written in Castro's Cuba, ends: "I'm sorry to be going away from Cuba in these times when so many people have so much hope. Like you, we never take any part in Cuban politics, but always wish the best for the Cuban pueblo."


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