| Founded in 1917, the Modern Library was initially a proposal to provide less expensive reprints of modern European titles. However, when it was founded, no one understood just how important their business would become. Essentially, this one idea spawned what we know today as Random House Publishing, one of the biggest names in the industry. Chances are, there are already several on your bookshelf. A more complete history of the Modern Library and its subsidiary Random House can be found in the hyperlink above. You may be wondering what the Modern Library has to do with the book in the photo to the left. Well, the images at the left depict a First Modern Library edition of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. As you can see, there is some provenance, which we'll get into in a bit, but perhaps the most fascinating thing that separates this edition from the rest is the fact that it has a new introduction that was not included in the 1925 editions. However, Fitz was obviously displeased by his work because the words "very bad introduction" are inscribed at the top of the page and have been verified that they were written by the author himself. This video from the current owners of the book provides more info about the significance of the inscription. |
As previously mentioned, this book not only includes an inscription of Fitzgerald's self-criticism, but also has a note in the front. On the title page it reads, "With best wishes from F. Scott Fitzgerald to his neighbor in Tryon." The recipient of the book, on the following page, wrote "Marion B. Greene. Tryon - 1935." When I saw this, I immediately thought who is this guy and how did he come to know Fitzgerald? The brief background provided on the Peter Harrington website says that Mr. Greene was originally from Rhode Island, but received the book in Tryon, North Carolina.
So, why was he so far from home?
The answer to this question lies in the history of the town itself. Mr. Greene received the book in 1935, right in the midst of the tuberculosis epidemic in the US, and many people believed that Tryon, N.C. had an excellent climate for combating the illness. Of course, this was when physicians believed that fresh air alone could cure the deadly disease. This website provides a great history of tuberculosis in American history, as well as insight into the treatments available to patients up until the 1950's. It may be that Mr. Marion B. Greene was trying to avoid the tuberculosis scare altogether. However, scholars agree that he was likely staying at the Oak Hall Hotel, which was known for its lodging of well-known people, including George Gershwin, Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, and Fitzgerald himself. Because of this one must question whether Mr. Greene was wealthy, maybe even a business man, or simply a fan of Fitzgerald.
And question I did.
I have sent an email to Peter Harrington, owners of the book, in hopes of getting some of these questions answered. I am still waiting on a reply. An update will be in place when and if I receive any answers.
So, why was he so far from home?
The answer to this question lies in the history of the town itself. Mr. Greene received the book in 1935, right in the midst of the tuberculosis epidemic in the US, and many people believed that Tryon, N.C. had an excellent climate for combating the illness. Of course, this was when physicians believed that fresh air alone could cure the deadly disease. This website provides a great history of tuberculosis in American history, as well as insight into the treatments available to patients up until the 1950's. It may be that Mr. Marion B. Greene was trying to avoid the tuberculosis scare altogether. However, scholars agree that he was likely staying at the Oak Hall Hotel, which was known for its lodging of well-known people, including George Gershwin, Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, and Fitzgerald himself. Because of this one must question whether Mr. Greene was wealthy, maybe even a business man, or simply a fan of Fitzgerald.
And question I did.
I have sent an email to Peter Harrington, owners of the book, in hopes of getting some of these questions answered. I am still waiting on a reply. An update will be in place when and if I receive any answers.