138. Fitzgerald (F. Scott) Taps at Reveille, first edition, first state without pp. 349-52 as cancels, signed presentation inscription from the author to Isabel Owens 'Hoping we'll both be able to look back to this winter as a bleak exception, in a business way from F.Scott ("Old Scrooge") Fitzgerald, original cloth, very slight farying to spine ends and corners, otherwise near-fine, dust-jacket, spine slightly faded, spine ends, corners and joints repaired and restored, rubbed at extremities, still in effect at excellent copy, preserved in custom drop-back box, 8vo, New York, 1935.
'I used to think if Scott hadn't been an alcoholic, he could have been an even better writer than he was… But I don't know if that's true. Maybe if he hadn't drank he couldn't have written as well as he did.' Isabel Owens, in interview.
est. £10000 – £15000
A splendid association copy of Fitzgerald's fourth short story collection with a superb inscription. Isabel Owens worked full-time as Fitzgerald's Baltimore secretary from 1932-36, although she continued part-time in this role until his death in 1940.