The Old Man and The Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

This novella, only 140 pages, was first printed in its entirety in Life Magazine on September 1, 1952. It inspired a buying frenzy - selling over five million copies of the magazine in just two days!

The story about an aging Cuban fisherman wrangling a large marlin in the gulf stream was written in 1951 in Cuba and published in 1952. In 1953, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and led to Hemingway's nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.

Man's struggle against nature is the resounding theme throughout the book as Hemingway portrays Santiago's travails as an experienced fisherman facing a dry-spell of 85 days before finally wrangling a prized marlin. Hemingway also highlights the indomitable spirit of man while illustrating his ideal of manliness and character in the strong and determined fisherman facing danger and discomfort without complaint and with resolution, both in the days it takes Santiago to kill the marlin, and as he fights off the sharks that end up destroying his prized catch before he reaches the coast. Some say that Hemingway's tale is a reflection of his own determination to prove his writing career was not over, and the portrayal of the sharks may echo the critics who had been claiming for the ten years that his writing career, after the successful release of For Whom the Bell Tolls in 1940, was over.

The book is dedicated "To Charlie Scribner And To Max Perkins," friends of Hemingway's that had passed away before the book came out. Max Perkins, who also edited F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe, died in 1947 and Scribner, who was president of the publisher Charles Scribner's Sons, died in 1952.

First Edition Identification

First edition print run was 50,000 copies by Charles Scribner's Sons; New York. First edition points include the Scribner "A" and colophon on the copyright page, the publisher's pale blue cloth with Hemingway's autograph stamped in blind on the upper cover & the spine lettered in silver. There should be no mention of the Pulitzer or Nobel Prize or an ISBN number. On the inside flap of the blue-tinted dust jacket, the original price of $3.00 should be listed. There are two variations of the first edition dust jacket. One has a blue-tinted photo of Hemingway and the other has an olive-tinted photo; one is not thought to be better or more valuable than the other.

The last work published by Hemingway during his lifetime, signed first editions of The Old Man and the Sea can sell for upwards of $15,000 - $17,000.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

Published around the same time as the true first edition, the Book of the Month Club editions can confuse collectors as the copyright page for each edition states “1952”. Likewise, the Book of the Month club edition also includes the “A” under the copyright information; however, the Scribner seal is not present and there is information about the printer on the bottom of the copyright page that isn’t included with the first edition. Other Book of the Month Club edition signs are an absent $3.00 price sticker on the front flap of the dust jacket, and a “Book of the Month” stamped on the top back of the dust flap. Still noteworthy collectible for collectors on a tighter budget, they typically sell for a couple hundred dollars.

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The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Ernest Hemingway

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Good-
Edition
First
Published
1952
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA
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$17,000.00

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Description:
First Edition authentically SIGNED AND INSCRIBED by Ernest Hemingway on the front endpaper. The ORIGINAL dustjacket is vibrant in color with NO chips or pieces missing with minor wear to the edges. 1954 reissue with reference to Nobel Prize. The book is bound in the publisher's blue cloth. The pages are clean.
Item Price
$17,000.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
First Edition
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Rapid River, Michigan, USA
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Item Price
$550.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. First edition, second printing. 1952 at title page; Scribner colophon at copyright. Sea blue full cloth boards, Hemingway's signature blind-stamped at front board, silver spine titles, light shelf wear. Fine linen pages, crisp, clean, no writing; light toning. Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Facsimile jacket of… Read more about this item
Item Price
$550.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Ernest Hemingway

Condition
Used - near fine
Jacket Condition
very good plus
Edition
1st
Published
1952
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Beverly Hills, California, USA
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Item Price
$3,000.00

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Description:
Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. 1st. near fine/very good plus. First edition, 1952 on title and copyright page. Book near fine, minor rubbing along edges and corners. Dust jacket very good plus, some fading and very minor wear. Housed in a custom-made slipcase.
Item Price
$3,000.00
OLD MAN AND THE SEA (SPECIAL STUDENT'S EDITION)
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OLD MAN AND THE SEA (SPECIAL STUDENT'S EDITION)

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0023530006
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Livonia, Michigan, USA
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$160.00

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Description:
Charles Scribner's Sons. Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket. 1952. Hardcover. 0023530006 . ****Spring Sale! The current price reflects a 20% discount off the regular price, while the item lasts. Sale ends April 2, 2024*****; Half aqua cloth with turqoise boards has a hint of sunning along top edge otherwise clean and near pristine. Boards and… Read more about this item
Item Price
$160.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First
Published
1952
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Chelmsford, Essex, GBR
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$510.84

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Description:
First UK edition, first impression in first state dust jacket without reviews to verso. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the last of the author's novels to be published in his lifetime. Original blue cloth with dark red lettering to spine and upper board. A near fine book with the slightest hint of fading to spine. Beautifully clean and… Read more about this item
Item Price
$510.84
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used
Edition
First British Edition
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0224602780
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Schenectady, New York, USA
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This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$960.00

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Description:
London: Jonathan Cape, 1952. First British Edition. Hardcover. 127pp. Blue cloth stamped in red on the cover and the spine. Three pages with tiny corner crease else a fine copy in near fine dustjacket with a slightly faded spine panel, two minuscule closed tears and a crease to rear flap. Wraparound dustjacket illustration by Hans Tisdall. 1953 Pulitzer Prize… Read more about this item
Item Price
$960.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
First Edition
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mission Viejo, California, USA
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Item Price
$3,850.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. Book. Fine. Hardcover. First Edition. First Printing. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Scribner's "A" and seal on copyright page. The book is square and tight with no marks of any kind. The pages are bright and clean. Silver lettering on the book's spine is bright and complete. Book appears unread. Dustjacket has… Read more about this item
Item Price
$3,850.00
The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
First US Edition/Early Printing
Published
1957
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Albany, California, USA
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$120.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1957. First US Edition/Early Printing. Hardcover. Very Good /Good. An early printing in light blue cloth with silver type to spine and debossed author signature to front board. Some yellow spots to front board and pale foxing to top page ends, otherwise quite nice with sharp corners, clean interior and solid binding. Tanning… Read more about this item
Item Price
$120.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by HEMINGWAY, Ernest

Condition
Used
Published
1952
Quantity Available
1
Seller
East Woodstock, Connecticut, USA
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$150.00

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Description:
New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. Early Printing. A. dustjacket art. Nobel Prize winner wrap around band, "Pulitzer Prize 1953" on front flap of dust jacket. Hemingway's classic novella of an old fisherman and his trials on the open sea. Near Fine in Near Fine dustjacket.
Item Price
$150.00
The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea

by Ernest Hemingway

Condition
New
Binding
Paperback / softback
ISBN 10
0684801221
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Southport, Merseyside, GBR
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$13.79

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Description:
Paperback / softback. New.
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$13.79
The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea

by HEMINGWAY, ERNEST

Condition
Used - Good. Covers moderately soiled (possibly from fishing) with ring (possibly from high-ball). Light off-setting to endpapers; prev
Edition
Book of the Month Club Edition
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$42.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. Book of the Month Club Edition. Hardcover. Good. Covers moderately soiled (possibly from fishing) with ring (possibly from high-ball). Light off-setting to endpapers; previous ownership signature to front flyleaf. Binding sound, text otherwise clean and bright. Lacking dust jacket.. Demy 8vo. 5.625 x 8.25 in. [ii], 140, [2 blanks] pp. Original blue… Read more about this item
Item Price
$42.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
First Edition
Published
1990
Binding
Leather Binding
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Item Price
$900.00

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Description:
Limited Editions Club, 1990. First Edition. Leather Binding. Near Fine/No Jacket. Copy #253 of 600 numbered copies signed by Alfred Eisenstaedt. A stunning limited edition. Beautifully bound in gilt-stamped blue goatskin over light brown linen boards; housed in publisher's black cloth clamshell box with gilt-stamped black leather spine label, interior lined with blue velour. The book is fine… Read more about this item
Item Price
$900.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
fine
Edition
First Edition
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$10,000.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/fine. 140p octavo. A very fine bright copy in like dust jacket. A common book , but increasingly uncommon in excellent condition. Enclosed in gray cloth custom slipcase
Item Price
$10,000.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used
Edition
First Edition
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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$575.00

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Description:
London; (1955): Jonathan Cape. First Edition. Octavo. First illustrated edition by this publisher with drawings by C.F,. Tunnicliffe and Raymond Sheppard. Originally commissioned as later natives, these two artists' different interpretations of the story were considered so excellent and so interesting in their varying styles that both have been included. Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea was awarded the… Read more about this item
Item Price
$575.00
The Old Man And The Sea
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The Old Man And The Sea

by Ernest Hemingway

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Original jacket
Edition
First edition, First printing
Published
1952
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Acton, Massachusetts, USA
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Item Price
$2,400.00

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Description:
FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING with the "A" and publisher's seal on copyright page and brown lettering on inside of dust jacket; FIRST ISSUE dust jacket with blue tinted photo of Hemingway in back panel and "$ 3.00" on front flap of dust jacket. No mention of Nobel/Pulitzer prize. Text inside is clean and in fine condition Previous owner's inscription present.… Read more about this item
Item Price
$2,400.00
The Old Man and the Sea  [First Printing in Original Wrapper]
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The Old Man and the Sea [First Printing in Original Wrapper]

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Fair
Jacket Condition
Fair
Edition
First Edition
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Rapid River, Michigan, USA
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$750.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. True first printing in original wrapper. Scribner's "A" and seal at copyright page. Sea blue full cloth boards, Hemingway's signature blind-stamped at front board, silver spine titles, moderate cover, corner wear, spine rub; some water-stain or discoloration to boards. Linen pages good; some toning, discoloration at endpapers. Stylish antiquarian signature… Read more about this item
Item Price
$750.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
Early Printing
Published
1954
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Item Price
$18,500.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1954. Early Printing. Very Good/Very Good. ca. 1954. Early printing. Signed on the front free endpaper by Ernest Hemingway and inscribed "To James and Katrina Hammon / wishing them all good / things always / Ernest Hemingway," underneath which Ernest's wife Mary Hemingway has inscribed "and Mary / July 3rd, 1956 / Finca… Read more about this item
Item Price
$18,500.00
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by HEMINGWAY, Ernest

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
First Illustrated Edition
Published
1953
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, Greater London, GBR
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$191.56

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Description:
London: Reprint Society 1953. 8vo.Illustrated. First Illustrated Edition. 117 pp. Green cloth with silver detailing to front board, in pictorial dustjacket. A near fine copy with just some minor wear to the ends of the spine. Dustjacket clean and bright, with slight wear along the top edge. Cloth clean. Internally clean and bright, previous owner's name to verso of ffep.… Read more about this item
Item Price
$191.56
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First Illustrated Edition
Published
1953
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, Greater London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$178.79

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Description:
London: The Reprint Society 1953. 8vo.Illustrated. First Illustrated Edition. 117, [1] pp. Publisher's green cloth in colour illustrated jacket, not price clipped; pictorial endpapers. Jacket has minor chipping at spine ends but otherwise very clean. Cloth clean and bright. Internally clean, aside from slight foxing to endpapers. Without ownership names. Illustrated throughout by C. F. Tunnicliffe and Raymond Sheppard. A… Read more about this item
Item Price
$178.79
The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea

by Hemingway, Ernest

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
First edition
Published
1952
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$3,850.00

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Description:
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952. First edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. 8vo. [9], 9-140, [2] pp. Light blue cloth boards with silver lettering on the spine. Price of $3.00 on the front flap of the jacket. Grissom A.24.1.a (Binding A, Jacket A). The last novel to be published during Hemingway's lifetime, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and… Read more about this item
Item Price
$3,850.00