- 169
Fitzgerald, F. Scott
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description
- ink and paper
Group of three F. Scott Fitzgerald items, containing: Autograph letter signed ("Scott"), 1 1/2 pages (11 x 8 1/2 ins; 280 x 220 mm). Maryland, [1927/8], on "Ellerslie" Edgemoore, Delaware, letterhead, to Tom Lineaweaver. Paper browned and faded in spots, one horizontal and two vertical fold lines, creasing to lower right corner on second page; Autograph letter signed ("Ever Your Devoted Friend, Scott"), 3 pages (9 3/8 x 6 in, 235 x 152 mm). Baltimore, Maryland, [1927/8], on Hotel Rennert stationery, to Tom Lineaweaver. Paper toned at edges, two horizontal fold lines, upper portion of page three detached by present; Five stanza of verse in pencil, unsigned, possible in Fitzgerald's hand or transcribed by another (11 x 7 in, 280 x 180 mm), n.p., [28 June 1920]. Very light spotting, one horizontal and two vertical fold lines.
Fitzgerald apologies twice for drunken foolishness and claims to be "on the wagon." In the first of two repentant letters to his old college friend Tom Lineaweaver, Fitzgerald asks repeatedly for forgiveness even though he was so inebriated at a recent house party that he admits he may be "apologzing to the wrong people." He pleads with his friend to accept his apology for being "lousy" and asks that he relay to his wife Eleanor that he "can be almost human when sober."
The second, lengthier letter of contrition comes after a second dinner gathering in Baltimore. Although Lineaweaver didn't attend the function, Fitzgerald was concerned his old classmate would hear of his misbehavior through the grapevine. Fitzgerald's letter is a confessional about various social missteps, including telling his party that he was "living in a state of mild masterbation" and mentioning "the word virginity in conversation." Although it is clear that Fitzgerald regrets his drunken immodesty, he goes on to say: "I know that whenever I am nice to people I don't like or respect I'm sooner rude to them as a sort of compensation."
Together a five stanza poem. Likely written around the time of Eleanor and Tom Lineaweaver's marriage on 28 June 1920. In the 20 lines of verse, Fitzgerald chronicles how Eleanor first welcomed her future husband with "heart a throb" and through how her family finally approved her choice of mate, "which they say broke Ftizgerald's heart." He concludes: "So now we're gathered here today | To celebrate the initial jump in the Hay." Unpublished.
Fitzgerald apologies twice for drunken foolishness and claims to be "on the wagon." In the first of two repentant letters to his old college friend Tom Lineaweaver, Fitzgerald asks repeatedly for forgiveness even though he was so inebriated at a recent house party that he admits he may be "apologzing to the wrong people." He pleads with his friend to accept his apology for being "lousy" and asks that he relay to his wife Eleanor that he "can be almost human when sober."
The second, lengthier letter of contrition comes after a second dinner gathering in Baltimore. Although Lineaweaver didn't attend the function, Fitzgerald was concerned his old classmate would hear of his misbehavior through the grapevine. Fitzgerald's letter is a confessional about various social missteps, including telling his party that he was "living in a state of mild masterbation" and mentioning "the word virginity in conversation." Although it is clear that Fitzgerald regrets his drunken immodesty, he goes on to say: "I know that whenever I am nice to people I don't like or respect I'm sooner rude to them as a sort of compensation."
Together a five stanza poem. Likely written around the time of Eleanor and Tom Lineaweaver's marriage on 28 June 1920. In the 20 lines of verse, Fitzgerald chronicles how Eleanor first welcomed her future husband with "heart a throb" and through how her family finally approved her choice of mate, "which they say broke Ftizgerald's heart." He concludes: "So now we're gathered here today | To celebrate the initial jump in the Hay." Unpublished.