Books

First illustrated edition, signed limited issue, number 14 of 751 copies signed by both author and artist. Of Human Bondage was first published in 1915 and Maugham contributed a new foreword for this handsome illustrated edition. Randolph Schwabe (1885-1948) "was a draughtsmen, painter and etcher who was the Slade Professor of Fine Art at University College London from 1930 until his death. He served as a war artist in both World Wars, created designs for theatrical productions and illustrated a number of books" (Tate online). Large octavo. Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in dark green morocco, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, raised bands, single rule to boards gilt, twin rule to turn-ins, burgundy endpapers, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. With 24 collotype plates by Randolph Schwabe, including frontispiece. A fine copy. Loren & Frances Rothschild Collection, V, 86; Stott A21d.

Of Human Bondage is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is a semi-autobiographical story about the life of a young man, Philip Carey, who struggles to find his identity and place in the world.