MAUGHAM, William Somerset

Liza of Lambeth

London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1947. Item #06508

Maugham’s First Novel - A Signed Limited Edition in Quarter Vellum

MAUGHAM, William Somerset. Liza of Lambeth. London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1947.

First edition thus, limited to 1,000 numbered copies signed by the author (this copy no. 831).

Large octavo (8 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches; 222 x 146 mm.). [xvi], 1–136, [2], [2, blank] pp.

Publisher’s quarter cream vellum over patterned red boards, spine with black cloth label lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut. A near fine copy.

A handsome signed limited edition of Maugham’s first novel, originally published in 1897, and the work that launched his literary career. Liza of Lambeth is a vivid and unflinching portrayal of working-class life in late Victorian London, drawn from Maugham’s own experiences as a medical student attending patients in the slums of Lambeth. Its realism—then strikingly modern—announced the arrival of a writer deeply attuned to the social and psychological undercurrents of everyday life.

This 1947 issue by William Heinemann Ltd. presents the text in a refined format befitting its status as a cornerstone of Maugham’s oeuvre. The elegant quarter vellum binding, paired with patterned boards and gilt top edge, reflects the publisher’s intention to elevate the novel from its modest beginnings into a collectible, presentation-worthy edition.
Signed limited editions of Liza of Lambeth hold particular appeal, as they unite Maugham’s earliest success with the mature author’s retrospective endorsement. Though larger in limitation than some of his more exclusive issues, copies in such pleasing condition - especially with clean vellum and bright boards - remain highly desirable.

A cornerstone Maugham title, combining literary significance with the tactile appeal of a finely produced signed edition.

Price: $350.00