Description:

F. Scott Fitzgerald ALS Re: Benjamin Button 3 Weeks Before Publication

An autograph letter signed from F. Scott Fitzgerald to an editor at Collier's, concerning mystery stories and publishing "Benjamin Button" along with other novelettes. 2pp, measuring 8.5" x 11", [St. Paul, Minnesota], circa early May 1922. Signed "F Scott Fitzgerald" and addressed to Colliers Editor Harford Powell. Fitzgerald comments on the writing of fellow authors of romance and mystery along with mentioning the publication of "The Russet", "Witch in the Metropolitan", and "Benjamin Button". Fitzgerald's letter is accompanied by a typed response letter from Powell, which is dated May 9, 1922. The Fitzgerald letter has flattened folds, with some toning and soiling throughout. There is an area of rust staining from a removed paper clip along with several pinholes from removed staples. Large and bold signature. The typed letter also has a flattened mail fold with some tearing and chipping at the edges. Toning and fading throughout. Staple holes at the upper left corner.

Fitzgerald's letter reads in part:
"Your letter was very interesting. The trouble is this: all the obvious stuff of romance & mystery while it is at the same time the best stuff has in the last twenty five years been pretty well pawed over by newspaper feature writers and detective story Shakespeares not to mention people like Doyle, Haggard, Wilkie Collins & Bulwer Lytton'They've done their pawing with such clumsy hands that they've taken the color pretty much off the near east and the far east and the whole criminal world'The jewel business has facilitated me too and in fact I have done a satirical story on almost the materials you suggest. It appears as a novelette in the next smart set & wish that you'd read it. It's the second of a series of such stories of which the first was The Russet, Witch in the Metropolitan & the third was Benjamin Button'"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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