In Savoy. By Gertrude Stein. First Edition, First Printing. Pushkin Press. London, 1946.

Gertrude Stein was an American expatriate, author, and foundational figure in the modernist movement of the twentieth century. In Paris, where she lived for most of her life, her home became a gathering place for numerous artists, leading to the cross-pollination of numerous forms of the avant-garde. She famously hosted the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many others. She also resided in Paris during WWII. In this slim play, In Savoy: or, Yes Is for a Very Young Man, Stein tells the story of the German occupation from the perspective of a French family. The work was published posthumously. It is an intriguing volume for many reasons, but especially because of Stein’s complicated politics during WWII. She was a lesbian and Jewish which put her in imminent danger during the German occupation. Yet Stein also maintained relationships with notable leaders of the Vichy regime, Hitler’s collaborators in France at the time. It is largely believed these relationships helped Stein avoid the worst outcomes of the war and maintain her salon and renowned art collection. These complicated relationships with the Vichy regime and its leader, Philippe Pétain, also seem to appear in this play. That is, some characters argue for acquiescence to the occupation government while others condemn it. For Stein collectors, this slim play is subsequently a crucial volume.

This first edition, first printing is in near-fine condition. In the original blue wrappers, near-fine with only minor creasing to spine. Text block near-fine, only former owner’s bookplate to front free endpaper and residue on copyright page from the publisher’s “PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN” sticker which is missing. In the original dust jacket, about-fine with only chipping to head of spine and very minor soiling to front and back panels.

A scarce first edition of Gertrude Stein’s play about the resistance in France.