Books

London: Heinemann, 1928. First Edition. Hard Cover. Dust Jacket. (London: William Heinemann, Ltd. 1928). First UK Edition. Publisher's slate blue cloth lettered in gilt with author's & publisher's device in black. Minuscule rubbing to the boards otherwise a near fine (or better) copy in a VG+ D/W priced 7/6 to the spine with a 2 cm closed tear and associated crease at the top left hand corner of the spine. There are also a couple of small chips at the top and bottom right hand corner of the spine but with none of the usual fading to the spine. Provenance: Adrian Homer Goldstone (noted collector and bibliographer, with his book plate on the front paste-down). Haycraft Queen Cornerstone and Queen's Quorum. The basis for the 1936 British espionage thriller film "The Secret Agent" directed by Alfred Hitchcock, adapted from the play by Campbell Dixon, which in turn was loosely based on two stories from Ashenden. *The Secret Agent* starred Madeleine Carroll, John Gielgud,…

A collection of interconnected stories based on Maugham's experiences as a British spy during World War I. The stories delve into the subtleties and complexities of espionage and are considered some of the earliest works of fiction in the spy genre.

The first edition of 'Ashenden' was published in 1928 by Heinemann Publishing, and the original printing includes a distinguishing dust jacket designed by William Nicholson.