Of Human Bondage

New York: Doubleday, Doran, 1936.

Sold

Hardcover. First illustrated edition. Illustrated by Randolph Schwabe. Small quarto. Bound in full dark blue morocco with raised bands, and heavily stamped in gilt. Just about fine. One of 751 numbered copies Signed by the author and illustrator, this is copy number 4, and additionally Inscribed by Maugham to Doubleday editor Malcolm Johnson, who apparently was involved in the creation of this illustrated edition, beneath the printed half-title "Of Human Bondage" with the words "which was written with blood and tears, for Malcolm from WM." Laid in is a 1936 letter from the illustrator Schwabe in his calligraphic hand (about 60 words) in which he states "All the drawings for Human Bondage have now left my hands ... I should have noted the captions on the drawings. Having omitted to do this, I enclose a list of them." The handwritten list is included and comprises twenty-four quotations from the text of the novel. A splendid presentation.

Item #346497

Ask a Question

item image

Item #346497 Of Human Bondage. W. Somerset MAUGHAM.

W. Somerset Maugham
birth name: William Somerset Maugham
born: 1/25/1874
died: 12/16/1965
nationality: Great Britain

View Reference Info

Biography

English novelist, playwright, and short-story writer whose work is characterized by a clear, unadorned style, cosmopolitan settings, and a shrewd understanding of human nature. - Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literaturemore

Collecting tips:

Maugham was especially prolific. Among our favorites are The Razor's Edge (1944), the American edition preceding the U.K. edition, issued in the U.S. in both a limited and trade edition (the limited had an unprinted glassine jacket - usually missing - and a slipcase, the trade a jacket), The Moon and Sixpence (1919 - the jacket is very scarce), and his first book, Liza of Lambeth (1897 - reportedly issued with a jacket, we've never seen one but suspect that indeed it was). We are intrigued by his many plays, although it can take considerable effort to figure out the various editions and states, even with the good Stott bibliography.

Email us to request a printed copy of our catalog of W. Somerset Maugham Rare Books and First Editions (or download it via the link as a 3.13 MB pdf file).more