May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
176
An exceptional presentation copy of Fitzgerald's last book, in the first issue dust jacket
FITZGERALD, F. SCOTT
Tender is the Night. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934. First edition, inscribed on the front free endpaper "Dear Curtis - You've been so appreciative of my books in the past that I thought this might amuse you/Scott Fitzgerald." Publisher's cloth, in the original first issue dust jacket, housed in full dark blue morocco clamshell case. 7 3/8 x 5 inches (18.6 x 12.5 cm); 408 pp., with decorations by Edward Shenton. The front pastedown with a tipped-in newspaper review and the small stamp and printed label and two contemporary Los Angeles booksellers (see note), offset and small abrasion to inscribed leaf, the jacket toned and with paper replacement to spine tips and corners, a short split to one flap fold, a few minor creases and small stains, the volume sound. Provenance: Jane Engelhard (small Cragwood booklabel to recto of rear free endpaper), sold Christie's 2 December 2005, lot 165; with Bauman Rare Books
A scarce inscribed copy of Tender is the Night, F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of the French Riviera, and the last published in his lifetime. The volume is inscribed to Curtis, surmised by Matthew Bruccoli to be Town & Country reviewer William Curtis, who had favorably reviewed The Great Gatsby in 1925 (noting the maturity of that work compared to his first two novels was like "realizing that a hopeful child has become an adult"). Despite publication nearly a decade later, Fitzgerald began writing Tender is the Night while visiting Europe just weeks after the release of The Great Gatsby, and while the characters of Dick and Nicole Diver are loosely based on his acquaintances the American ex-pats Gerald and Sara Murphy, their story mirrors that of Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda who respectively suffered with alcoholism and mental illness. Fitzgerald was sensitive about reviews of his works and in another known presentation copy of Tender is the Night implored Malcolm Cowley not to review it; he here recognizes William Curtis for his appreciation of his books rendering this an important presentation copy.
In addition to the above-listed provenance, the book bears the contemporary label and stamp of two Los Angeles bookshops (Granada Book Shop and Barary Library) and a contemporary review of the novel. The tipped-in review, signed only "M.M.", is favorable "His people are destined to frustration, experiment and despair. We wonder what all the fuss is about, why we should be moved at the futility and failure of these people. But the fact remains, we are moved."
Connolly Modern Movement 79; Bruccoli A15.1.a; Bruccoli Fitzgerald in the Marketplace 41.
FITZGERALD, F. SCOTT
Tender is the Night. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934. First edition, inscribed on the front free endpaper "Dear Curtis - You've been so appreciative of my books in the past that I thought this might amuse you/Scott Fitzgerald." Publisher's cloth, in the original first issue dust jacket, housed in full dark blue morocco clamshell case. 7 3/8 x 5 inches (18.6 x 12.5 cm); 408 pp., with decorations by Edward Shenton. The front pastedown with a tipped-in newspaper review and the small stamp and printed label and two contemporary Los Angeles booksellers (see note), offset and small abrasion to inscribed leaf, the jacket toned and with paper replacement to spine tips and corners, a short split to one flap fold, a few minor creases and small stains, the volume sound. Provenance: Jane Engelhard (small Cragwood booklabel to recto of rear free endpaper), sold Christie's 2 December 2005, lot 165; with Bauman Rare Books
A scarce inscribed copy of Tender is the Night, F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of the French Riviera, and the last published in his lifetime. The volume is inscribed to Curtis, surmised by Matthew Bruccoli to be Town & Country reviewer William Curtis, who had favorably reviewed The Great Gatsby in 1925 (noting the maturity of that work compared to his first two novels was like "realizing that a hopeful child has become an adult"). Despite publication nearly a decade later, Fitzgerald began writing Tender is the Night while visiting Europe just weeks after the release of The Great Gatsby, and while the characters of Dick and Nicole Diver are loosely based on his acquaintances the American ex-pats Gerald and Sara Murphy, their story mirrors that of Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda who respectively suffered with alcoholism and mental illness. Fitzgerald was sensitive about reviews of his works and in another known presentation copy of Tender is the Night implored Malcolm Cowley not to review it; he here recognizes William Curtis for his appreciation of his books rendering this an important presentation copy.
In addition to the above-listed provenance, the book bears the contemporary label and stamp of two Los Angeles bookshops (Granada Book Shop and Barary Library) and a contemporary review of the novel. The tipped-in review, signed only "M.M.", is favorable "His people are destined to frustration, experiment and despair. We wonder what all the fuss is about, why we should be moved at the futility and failure of these people. But the fact remains, we are moved."
Connolly Modern Movement 79; Bruccoli A15.1.a; Bruccoli Fitzgerald in the Marketplace 41.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
