Description:

F. Scott Fitzgerald
Saint Raphael, France, ca. 1924
F. Scott Fitzgerald Fabulous ANS while Writing "The Great Gatsby" Praising a Young Author!
ANS

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940). Fabulous autograph note in brown ink signed "F. Scott Fitzgerald" to young author Horace Wade praising his writing, during the writing of his own masterpiece "The Great Gatsby". 1p tan slip note card, 5.5" x 3.5", Villa Marie, Valescure, St. Raphael, France, circa 1924. Shows the slightest creasing and wear to corners - else superb! Provenance: Kenneth W. Rendell (from frame back-label).

In full:

"Villa Marie, Valescure, St. Raphael, France
Dear Horace:
The Magazine reached me today. Your article is very well written & many thanks for the boost.
Sincerely
F. Scott Fitzgerald"

A friendly note to a young reviewer from F. Scott Fitzgerald, written from the Riviera likely in the summer of 1924, and evocative of the period in which he wrote "The Great Gatsby". It is known that in spring 1924, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald sailed to France and "Early in June they moved up the Riviera to St. Raphael, where they rented the Villa Marie, set back in a wood of cypress and parasol pines. Here they began their new life with the usual well-meaning, hopeful gaiety" (Turnbull 1962 "Scott Fitzgerald" p 144). It is also known that "The Great Gatsby" was written at Villa Marie: "It was in a rented house here, Villa Marie, that Fitzgerald knuckled down to work on The Great Gatsby - the blinking green beam of the lighthouse off shore at Cap d'Antibes has been held as a the probable inspiration for light on the dock that signals Jay Gatsby's yearning for Daisy in the novel" (Tavis 2022 "The Writer's Journey" p 95).

The recipient of this note is Horace A. Wade (1908-1993), a young writer whom Fitzgerald is known to have corresponded with in this period, and whose collection of letters from Fitzgerald was sold by Charles Hamilton in 1981. Wade became a professional writer at age 11 when his 30,000-word novel "In The Shadow of Great Peril" was published. He went on to write numerous articles for the Hearst empire chain, one of which is perhaps what Fitzgerald is referencing when he praises Wade "Your article is very well written" in the note presented here.

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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  • Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.5"
  • Medium: ANS

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