Books

London: The Grey Walls Press, 1949 . First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5.5". None. The first UK edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald's posthumously published final novel, in the exceptionally bright original dust wrapper. The first UK edition, first impression of this unfinished work, which was first published in the US in 1941.In the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.Unfinished at the time of Fitzgerald's death in 1940, 'The Last Tycoon' follows a successful young film producer who pursues a beautiful woman with a murky past. Ultimately, his controlling nature results in his downfall.The central character is thought to be based upon producer Irving Thalberg. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Bumping to back strip head and tail, otherwise externally exceptionally vibrant. Light spotting to fore edge of text block. Back strip lightly age toned, with wraps bright. Light spotting to rear wrap. Closed tear over tail…

The Last Tycoon, edited by the preeminent Fitzgerald scholar Matthew J. Bruccoli, is a restoration of the author's phrases, words, and images that were excised from the 1940 edition, giving new luster to an unfinished literary masterpiece. It is the story of Hollywood's Golden Boy, Monroe Stahr, as he battles father figures, corporate giants, and true heartache.

Identification can be made by looking for the publisher's name, Charles Scribner's Sons, along with the absence of later editing notes or mentions of a posthumous publication. The first UK edition was published in 1949.