The Last Blossom on the Plum Tree, Signed Presentation to Ashton Hawkins
[Signed Presentation to Ashton Hawkins] Astor, Brooke. The Last Blossom on the Plum Tree. First Edition. 1986. Book and dust jacket are in very good condition. Book is warmly inscribed, “For dear Ashton who has brought so much joy into my life by his friendship and his fascinating intelligence.”
One of two novels written by the grande dame of New York society, the action takes place era when “Hoover [was] in the White House” and “Josephine Baker [was] in the Cotton Club.” The protagonists are two widows with one last chance at love before the Great Depression. One of them seems based upon Brooke herself—her character’s husband is reminiscent of Astor’s emotionally distant third husband, Vincent. This copy is signed to the general counsel of the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the era in which Astor was a trustee there.
“I believe that a woman should look as young as she can, as long as she can, don’t you agree?”
--Brooke Astor