Fitzgerald, F. Scott.

First editions of two titles: Tender is the Night. New York: Scribner's, 1934—Taps at Reveille. New York: Scribner's, 1935. Both 8vo (7 1/2 x 5 1/4 ins; 188 x 133 mm). Publisher's green cloth, spine gilt; minor fading. Custom cloth case.

Sotheby's New York, 4 December 1996, lots 89 and 90.

Bruccoli A15.1A;  A18.1a2

While committing Zelda, Fitzgerald 's drunken antics leave him broken. "For Margaret Hurley | with much respect | & regard from | F Scott Fitzgerald | April 1936 | Ashville" on endpaper of the former while the latter carries a more storied inscription, "For Jim Hurley | Adhesive tape expert |("May every type- |writer ribbon prove | to be our adhesive | tape" Dorothy Dix") from his friend | F Scott Fitzgerald | Ashville 1936"

Fitzgerald was long familiar with the  resort of Asheville (mentioning it in Gatsby for instance) and by the summer of 1935, due perhaps to fellow Scribner's author Thomas Wolfe's advice, he was visiting the area with the idea of relocating to lessen his expenses and  hoping the mountain air would help his lungs.

He returned to North Carolina the next year and had Zelda admitted to Highland Park Hospital on 8 April, moving himself  into the luxurious Grove Park Inn. Diving into the hotel's pool after drinking, Fitzgerald fractured his collarbone and emergency care was provided by James Hurley, who lacking medical tape, used a typewriter ribbon to bind Fitzgerald's limb in place for the ride to the hospital. Because of this injury, he inscribed Tender with  his left hand.

Things did not improve during his stay. The hotel eventually demanded he could only remain if a nurse was present, the fallout of another drunken incident (this time with a revolver) and the management feared the author was a distinct suicide risk.