Lot 194
F. Fitzgerald, F. Scott (1896-1940) American author; one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Fantastic early autograph letter signed ("Fitzgerald"), one page, in pencil, 8½ x 13 in., Hendersonville, N.C., n.d. (Nov. or Dec. 1935), with excellent content. Fine condition. To Mrs. Owens, Fitzgerald's long-time secretary, Zelda's companion and Scotty's governess. "Gradually feeling better but no plans at the moment. Here is $50 to carry on with. Scotty is with the M.B. Flinns in Tryon & well taken care of for four or five days anyhow. You will get a wire from Wilmington or word from a lawyer in Balt. relative to appartment [sic] squabble. Still intend to bluff out of lease if humanly possible. In any case cant work there possibly with that music. Send me what ms. you have when you have a real adress [sic], also any news. More later. Fitzgerald. Have sent 1st national that stock cert. with instructions to sell. Find out what they realized on it."
"Scotty" was Frances Scott "Scottie" Fitzgerald, Zelda and F. Scott's only child, born on October 26, 1921. The M.B. Flinns were Lefty and Norah Flynn, who lived in North Carolina. He was a former Yale football player and cowboy actor and she was sister of Lady Astor. The apartment squabble refers to the lease Fitzgerald was trying to break on his Baltimore apartment because he discovered that a pianist lived in the apartment above his and the piano-playing interfered with his writing. The stock certificate to which he refers was probably stock owned by Fitzgerald's mother.
Fitzgerald wrote this letter from the Skyland Hotel in Hendersonville, North Carolina, a small town between Asheville and Tryon where he stayed in November and December of 1935 because, "I didn't know anybody there and wouldn't be bothered." He wrote "The Crack Up" while staying there in a two-dollar room.
A remarkable insight into Fitzgerald's life in this critical time. Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000
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