For Whom the Bell Tolls (First State) by Hemingway, Ernest - 1940

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1940. First printing with Scribner's "A" at copyright. Beautifully signed by Ernest Hemingway on signature cut lightly adhered at title page. Very attractive. Extremely rare first state, unclipped 2.75 jacket without photo credit at back. Oatmeal colored full cloth boards w/author's stamped signature, crisp black spine titles on bright red field, lt. shelf wear. Deckled pages very good; no writing. Lt. brown top edge. Bind good, hinges intact. Dust jacket w/moderate chip, rub, discoloration at flaps; unclipped 2.75, protected in new clear sleeve. An attractive near fine signed first printing in near very good first state wrapper. Tells the story of Robert Jordan, a young American in the International Brigades attached to an anti-fascist guerilla unit during the Spanish Civil War. As an expert in the use of explosives, he is assigned to blow up a bridge during an attack on the city of Segovia. Told primarily through the thoughts and experiences of Robert Jordan, a character inspired by Hemingway's own experiences in the Spanish Civil War. Jordan travels to Spain to oppose the fascist forces of Generalísimo Francisco Franco. A superior has ordered him to travel behind enemy lines and destroy a bridge, using the aid of a group of guerrillas who have been living in the mountains nearby. Here, he encounters one of those in their camp, María, a young Spanish native whose life has been shattered by the outbreak of the war. His strong sense of duty clashes with both Republican leader Pablo's unwillingness to commit to a covert operation and his own joie de vivre that is kindled by his newfound love for María. The novel graphically describes the unutterable brutality of civil war. 471 pages. Insured post.. Signed by Author. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Book.