The Beautiful and Damned
1922 · New York
by FITZGERALD, F. SCOTT
New York: Scribners, 1922. Second printing. This was the office file copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s agent, Harold Ober Associates, with their printed label on the front pastedown. A good to very good copy with a few minor spots to the front board and some slight darkening and rubbing to the spine and a bit of slight fraying to the top and bottom of the spine and corners in a fine facsimile dust jacket. Harold Ober (1881 - 1951) was one of America’s most respected and successful literary agents. He represented such distinguished authors as William Faulkner, and is perhaps best known for both his professional and personal association with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ober’s relationship with Fitzgerald was particularly close and supportive, and like any complex alliance, it suffered through occasional bouts of conflict and contention. Over the years Ober played an integral role in the cultivation of Fitzgerald’s career, offering professional counsel and financial assistance, often giving him advances against unsold stories. In turn, Fitzgerald dedicated his book, Taps At Reveille, to Ober. After Fitzgerald’s wife Zelda was institutionalized, Harold and Anne Ober stepped in as virtual foster parents to the Fitzgerald’s young daughter, Scottie. When Fitzgerald died suddenly in Hollywood, CA while working on The Last Tycoon, his companion Sheilah Graham’s first call was to Ober, with whom Scottie was staying, informing him of the sad news. Ober then called Zelda Fitzgerald in Montgomery, AL. The Obers continued their affection and support of Scottie, including lending her money so that she could complete her education at Vassar. All in all, Fitzgerald and Ober were clearly a dynamic literary force, and without question helped to bring modern American literature forward with intelligence, commitment, and style. (Inventory #: 12017E)