Artunderwraps

First Edition Prices, Values and Auction Results

Published in 1922 by Scribner's, The Beautiful and Damned is another of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novels commenting on the themes of wealth, moral corruption and relationships worn down by high expectations. In Fitzgerald's second of four complete novels, his characters Anthony and Gloria Patch experience an alcohol-fueled existence of greed and self-indulgence that challenge their ability to find happiness.  First issues have sold at auction for $5000-$9000 with dust jacket; signed copies command even more in the $17,000-$19,000 range. Books without the dust jacket begin at $300.

We collected a sample of 13 auction results of Fitzgerald, F. Scott's The Beautiful and Damned from 3 different auction houses. The lowest overall price realized in our sample was $60 and the highest overall price realized was $19520. The overall average price was $5105 and the median price realized for the book was $5000. There were 5 auctions (56%) with a price realized below the low estimate, 2 auctions (22%) exceeding the high estimates, and 2 auctions (22%) within the range of the low and high estimates. Auctions of interest include: a Bonhams sale on October 04, 2010 of a 1922 - Scribner's edition for $17080 that signed by the author; a Bonhams sale on October 19, 2009 of a 1922 - Scribner's edition for $19520 that with an inscription from author; a Swann sale on October 01, 2009 of a 1922 - Scribner's edition for $5520 that first issue;