The Vegetable: Or, From President To Postman.
First Edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Vegetable; Inscribed by Him to Legendary Actor and co-founder of Goldwyn Pictures Edgar Selwyn and in the rare original dust jacket
The Vegetable: Or, From President To Postman.
FITZGERALD, F. Scott.
$25,000.00
Item Number: 134567
New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1923.
First edition of what Fitzgerald called, “undoubtedly the best thing I have ever written.” Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Dear Mr. Swelwynn (sic)- Here’s the new version of the play. Sincerely F. Scott Fitzgerald.” The recipient, prominent figure in American theatre and film in the first half of the 20th century. An actor, playwright, director and producer on Broadway, he founded a theatrical production company with his brother, Archibald Selwyn, and owned a number of Selwyn Theatres in the United States. He transferred his talents from the stage to motion pictures, and directed a film for which Helen Hayes received the Academy Award for Best Actress. Selwyn co-founded Goldwyn Pictures in 1916. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Jacket illustration by John Held, Jr. An exceptional association.
Fitzgerald’s original title for this absurdist romantic farce had been Gabriel’s Trombone. He told editor Max Perkins it was “the best piece of American comedy to date, and undoubtedly the best thing I have ever written.” His next book was The Great Gatsby (Berg, Max Perkins, Editor of Genius, 50). Bruccoli A10.1.a.
