Jazz Age novelist and short story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. Fitzgerald was the self-styled spokesman of the “Lost Generation,” Americans born in the 1890s who came of age during World War I. He finished four novels, left a fifth unfinished, and wrote dozens of short stories that feature themes of youth, despair, and age. Signed book: Youth by Joseph Conrad. Later printing. NY: Doubleday, Page, and Company, 1920. Hardcover with dustjacket, 5.25 x 7.5, 381 pages. Signed in fountain pen on the first free end page, all in Fitzgerald’s hand, “For Gene Buck from Joseph Conrad,” and “F. Scott Fitzgerald, middle-man.” In very good condition, with scattered light toning to signed page, mild toning to closing pages and both pastedowns, spine a bit weak, and a bit of scattered light wear to covers and spine. The clipped dustjacket also rates very good, with a few separations, and scattered toning, soiling, creasing, and rubbing.
Gene Buck was the founder of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the composer behind all of the Ziegfeld Follies’ songs, and Fitzgerald’s neighbor in Long Island. In fact, Buck’s parties were the main source of inspiration for Fitzgerald’s opus, The Great Gatsby. Joseph Conrad, the celebrated Polish-born English author, heralded for his part in the modernist movement in literature, met Fitzgerald during a visit to the US and may have given this book to Fitzgerald to deliver to Buck, a task Fitzgerald obviously took a tongue-in-cheek pleasure in doing! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.