I have been in the rare and antiquarian book business for over forty years; my family has been in the rare books business since 1876. Rare books are in my blood.
Cakes and Ale
London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1954. Item #06501
Maugham’s Satirical Masterpiece—Signed Limited Edition
With an Original Lithograph by Graham Sutherland
MAUGHAM, W. Somerset Maugham. Cakes and Ale or The Skeleton in the Cupboard. London: William Heinemann Ltd., [1954].
First edition thus. Limited to 1,000 numbered copies (this copy no. 975), signed by both the author and the illustrator.
Large octavo (8 7/8 x 6 1/8 inches; 225 x 155 mm.). [viii], [i–iv], v–xii, 1–255, [1, blank] pp. With an original lithograph by Graham Sutherland and additional decorative illustrations.
Publisher’s quarter cream calf over dark blue cloth boards ruled in gilt, spine with black morocco label lettered in gilt. A fine copy, preserved in the original glassine wrapper and black board slipcase.
A finely produced limited edition of one of Maugham’s most celebrated novels, here enhanced by an original lithograph and illustrations by Graham Sutherland, one of the leading British artists of the mid-twentieth century. His distinctive style provides an effective visual counterpoint to Maugham’s sharp and ironic portrait of literary society.
Originally published in 1930, Cakes and Ale is widely regarded as one of Maugham’s finest works - a witty and penetrating satire on authorship, reputation, and the hypocrisies of the literary world.
An excellent, complete example, with the often-missing glassine wrapper intact.
Price: $650.00