Books

Toronto: The Copp, Clark Co. Limited, 1922. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. 8vo. First Canadian edition, from the sheets of the American first issue. "B" cloth, green, linen-like grain with gilt titles on the spine and blind stamped titles to the front board. Light bumping to the spine ends, pencil notes and name to front endpaper, else clean throughout and in very good condition. The scarce Canadian issue jacket present, with several old pieces of tape to some inside edges, including to the spine head holding a piece in place, quite fragile. Damp stain to the jacket around the spine foot, with chips to the corners and rear upper corner, 6cm tear in one flap fold, spine darkened and the front cover affected by a little stain and some edge-wear around the top. Very scarce in the Canadian issue, and more so with the dust jacket. Bruccoli A 8.I.b. Housed in a cloth slipcase.

"The Beautiful and Damned" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel that delves into the lives of Anthony Patch and his wife, Gloria, as they navigate the complexities of wealth, love, and society in post-World War I America. The story unfolds in the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, a time of societal upheaval and extravagant lifestyles. Anthony Patch, an heir to a substantial fortune, and Gloria, a beautiful young woman from Kansas City, are drawn together by their mutual attraction and shared desire for a luxurious existence. Their relationship initially thrives amidst the glitz and glamour of high society, where they revel in parties, excess, and the promise of an indulgent future. However, as their marriage progresses, cracks begin to appear. Anthony is a would-be writer, but his ambitions are eclipsed by his leisurely lifestyle and lack of motivation. Gloria, once full of life and aspirations, finds herself trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction, yearning for something more fulfilling than the shallow existence offered by their wealth. Their downward spiral is exacerbated by alcoholism, infidelity, and the pressures of societal expectations. Anthony's inheritance is tied up in a legal battle, and without it, their extravagant lifestyle hangs in the balance. As they struggle with financial woes and personal demons, their marriage deteriorates. Fitzgerald masterfully portrays the allure and emptiness of the Jazz Age, painting a vivid picture of a society obsessed with wealth, appearance, and pleasure. Through the characters of Anthony and Gloria, he explores the fleeting nature of happiness and the perils of excess. Ultimately, "The Beautiful and Damned" serves as a cautionary tale about the pursuit of superficiality and the consequences of neglecting deeper values in favor of a life consumed by materialism and societal expectations. It captures the disillusionment and moral decay of an era characterized by opulence and hedonism, highlighting the fragility of relationships and the human spirit in the face of such excess.

First editions of 'The Beautiful and Damned' can be identified by the publisher's name, Charles Scribner's Sons, printed on the title page with the date 1922. They may also have specific errors fixed in later editions.