1 17

Our Hearts Were Young And Gay, by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough (RARE, First Edition, Dust Jacket), 1942 📜🇺🇸✈️

Name: Our Hearts Were Young And Gay, by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough (RARE, First Edition, Dust Jacket), 1942 📜🇺🇸✈️
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 225.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$225.00

Oferta Agotado

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a very rare first edition of Our Hearts Were Young And Gay, a humorous memoir by the acclaimed authors Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough.

Published by Dodd, Mead & Company in 1942, this book is a cultural artifact that provided a welcome escape during the midst of World War II. Its value is not only in its scarcity but also in its lighthearted content, which offered optimism during a time of global conflict. It is a genuine collector's item due to its:

First Edition status with its original dust jacket.
Historical significance as a best-selling book published during a pivotal era.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Our Hearts Were Young and Gay is a humorous memoir that chronicles the authors' adventures as young women traveling through Europe in the 1920s. The narrative is filled with wit, self-deprecating humor, and affectionate observations of their youthful naiveté.

The book recounts their experiences with travel, culture shock, and the comical situations they encounter while navigating unfamiliar surroundings and social customs. The narrative offers a delightful and entertaining look at the joys and challenges of youthful exploration and friendship.

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

Cornelia Otis Skinner was an American actress, writer, and monologist. She was celebrated for her witty and insightful observations and her engaging stage performances.

Her career included a successful run of her own one-woman shows and the authorship of several popular books. Emily Kimbrough was an American author and editor known for her charming memoirs and travel writing. Her co-authorship of Our Hearts Were Young and Gay with Skinner is one of her most notable literary achievements, showcasing her talent for storytelling and finding humor in everyday situations.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1942, Our Hearts Were Young And Gay emerged as a cultural phenomenon during World War II.

Its lighthearted and humorous content provided a welcome escape for a nation at war, which contributed to its popularity and led to a film adaptation. The book’s success reflected a public desire for stories that celebrated youthful innocence, friendship, and a sense of optimism during a time of immense global conflict.

The book serves as a "time capsule" of this specific period, documenting the American public's need for humor and lightheartedness in a time of great stress.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of modern first editions, a historian of American culture, or a private collector of books from the World War II era. It speaks directly to a buyer who is a historian at heart, and appeals to a collector who appreciates:

The cultural significance of a book that provided morale during a time of war.
A best-selling volume that was adapted into a major motion picture.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1942 First Edition of Our Hearts Were Young And Gay is a genuinely rare find.

This is a non-replicable asset, holding a value that far exceeds a standard reprint. The book's price is a direct reflection of its scarcity.

The item is approximately 83 years old, a testament to its care and survival.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a used hardcover edition with its original dust jacket. The dust jacket shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and minor tears along the edges.

The hardcover binding is in good condition with minor signs of wear. The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible. There are no personal inscriptions or markings. This item came from a local estate sale and was in the previous owner's home office for many years.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

Our Hearts Were Young And Gay was a massive commercial success, becoming a number one bestseller in the United States and remaining on the New York Times bestseller list for 109 weeks.
The authors, Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough, were close friends and their real-life adventures inspired the book. Their friendship and journey are central to the book's charm and authenticity.
The book was adapted into a 1944 film starring Gail Russell and Diana Lynn, further cementing its place in American popular culture.
The book’s publication during World War II shows how humor and lighthearted narratives can provide emotional support and a sense of normalcy during times of global crisis.
The book's humor and lighthearted tone stood in stark contrast to the serious and often grim realities of the war, making it a powerful form of escapism for a stressed and anxious public.