Fitzgerald, F. Scott

The Beautiful and the Damned. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1922

8vo. Publisher's green cloth, stamped in blind and gilt; endpapers lightly offset, rubbed, extremities frayed, hinges tender. In a cloth slipcase.

Bruccoli A8.1.a

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A presentation copy of the first edition, inscribed to his agent: "For Harold Ober / from his friend / F. Scott Fitzgerald / Feb 6^th 1922 / St. Paul, Minn."

The importance in Fitzgerald’s life and work of Harold Ober, his long-time agent and supporter, cannot be overstated. Ober represented Fitzgerald in the sale of a short story in 1920 and was his agent until 1939, when Fitzgerald interpreted Ober’s mild admonitions over his failure to make himself available for Hollywood work as a betrayal. Ober and Fitzgerald had assumed the positions of debtor and creditor since the 1920s, when Ober began a pattern of advancing funds to Fitzgerald on the strength of short stories not yet written. Fitzgerald’s need for significant sums of money was chronic, as was his outstanding debt to Ober. What did change over time was the market value of the stories upon which the monies were advanced, declining to a heartbreaking $250 in the final year of their relationship.