F. Scott Fitzgerald (O'Hara, John; Bacall, Lauren)

The Portable F. Scott Fitzgerald

New York, NY: The Viking Press, 1945. First Edition. Hardcover. Signed & inscribed by John O'Hara, author of introduction, to Lauren Bacall in year of publication. The first compilation of writings by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the canonical American author. With two complete novels, The Great Gatsby & Tender is the Night, & nine stories, selected by Dorothy Parker & with an introduction by John O'Hara. This is the first edition, first printing of September 1945 as stated on copyright page, at the top of which is the statement "This edition is produced in full compliance with all War Production Board conservation orders"- such WWII-era regulations having been still in effect just after the end of the conflict. This copy is very special beyond its being a first edition/first printing. It is inscribed & signed only a few months after publication by John O'Hara, the writer of the introduction to this volume & a classic American author himself, on the first blank front endpaper: "To Mrs. B/This is something/nobody else can/give you./Affectionately/(signed) John O'Hara/26 November 1945." "Mrs. B" is none other than Lauren Bacall, who had married iconic actor Humphrey Bogart only six months earlier. A most significant rarity, with outstanding cultural & literary provenance. Without dust jacket. Book in relatively good condition, with mild wear to all edges of front, back covers; tiny bumps at all corners of same; small vertical tears esp. at mid-top edge, bottom edge of spine; wear & fraying through edges & corners of same; mild rubbing, fading, spotting & rubbing of covers & spine; all edges of trimmed & dyed text block mildly faded, scratched & soiled. Interior fine with only mild browning to page leaves & esp. front & rear endpapers. Good. [Item #2193]

Price: $2,000.00