FITZGERALD, F. Scott (1896-1940). The Vegetable or from President to Postman. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1923.

8vo. Half-title. Original green cloth lettered in blind and gilt, fore-edge uncut and partially unopened (very slight wear to spine ends, corners lightly rubbed); in unclipped dust jacket (some chipping and minor creasing, some short tears with a few neatly repaired verso, slight soiling).

FIRST EDITION. The Vegetable, Fitzgerald's only professional play, debuted at the Apollo Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey on 19 November 1923. Although he anticipated it would be a great financial success, it flopped. "The failure of The Vegetable, Fitzgerald's first professional setback, made him realize that he could no longer count on the success of every book, or continue to drink and spend without suffering the consequences... When it failed, he was forced to go on the wagon and write himself out of debt" (Myers, pp.107-108). Bruccoli A10.1.a.