Description

INSCRIBED BY FITZGERALD: THE VEGETABLE, IN ORIGINAL DUST JACKET

FITZGERALD, F. Scott. The Vegetable. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1923. Octavo, original green cloth, original dust jacket. Housed in custom red cloth chemise and slipcase.

First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by Fitzgerald on the front free endpaper: “For Kenneth Brightbill from F. Scott Fitzgerald. May 4th 1922” [sic, actually 1923].

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). Despite the date of 1922 in the inscription, this was actually inscribed in 1923. The book was published April 27, 1923, and it was not unusual for Fitzgerald to write the wrong year in his inscriptions. Bruccoli A10.1.a. Slight stain at edge of front free endpaper, near-fine. Bright dust jacket with light sunning to spine, several small chips, very good. A most attractive and desirable signed copy.