Books

London: Heinemann, 1930. First Edition. Hard Cover. Dust Jacket. Signed by Author. SIGNED & INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR - AN ASSOCIATION COPY. First UK Edition. First Edition First State with typo "won" on page 147 line 14. Publisher's mid-blue cloth binding blocked in gilt and black. Text block a little toned but with none of the usual spotting to the first and last few pages of the book overall a near fine (or slightly better) copy with bright boards, very clean internally and gilt really bright. The book is inscribed to Edward Wassermann the prominent banker, collector and philanthropist who was the subject of a famous portrait by Salvador Dali. "For/ Edward Wassermann/ The Blackstable of this/ book is Whitstable & the/ house Driffield ended his days in stands between/ Whitstable &/ Swalecliffe. / W. Somerset Maugham". Wassermann had several books inscribed to him by Somerset Maugham and there was clearly a close friendship between them. In a lovely example of the D/W…

Cakes and Ale is a satirical novel by W. Somerset Maugham, revolving around the lives, relationships, and social hypocrisies of the literary elite in England.