Cakes and Ale or The Skeleton in the Cupboard [First State]

MAUGHAM, W[illiam]. Somerset (1874-1965)

Published by William Heinemann, London, 1930

About this Item

Bright first impression ("First Published 1930") of Maugham's best novel. 8vo: [4],270pp. Publisher's Prussian blue linen-grain cloth, front cover and spine lettered in gold, front cover blocked in black with author's device and back cover with publisher's windmill; cream-colored dust jacket printed in red and black. Near Fine (dust-soiled top edge, spine ends rubbed, gilt on one letter slightly flaked); virtually pristine first-issue jacket, with publisher's "7/6 net" on spine panel. "It is generally assumed that the first issue of the first edition consists of copies with a missing 't' on p. 147, line 14. This, however, is not an issue [point] but a state of the printing. It would appear that the error was rectified at some stage in the run. There is also a misprint on p. 181, line 4, 'in' instead of 'it' and a dropped letterâ "'I'â "on p. 63, line 22. These later misprints appear to be common to the whole of the first printing. . . . and they obviously have no bibliographical significance." Stott A41. (Many collectors and catalogers have misconstrued Stott's bibliographic description of this title. It is the "later misprints" only, on pp. 63 and 181, that "have no bibliographical significance." The missing "t" on p. 147, "rectified as some stage in the run," while not an issue point, is still indicative of the first state, as here.). First serialized in Harper's Magazine, beginning in the March issue of 1930 and concluding in July. The story, set in the Whitstable of the author's youth,"has often been read as a roman-à-clef, with Ashenden as Maugham, Kear as Hugh Walpole, Driffield as Thomas Hardy, and Rosie as Sue Jones. Maugham initially denied these identifications, but increasingly encouraged them in later life. Yet it is clear retrospectively that each character represents an aspect of Maugham's own experience: Ashenden, his unhappy childhood; Driffield, the aging celebrity; Kear, the eagerly self-promoting author, and Rosie, victim of sexual scandal unmentionable in polite society." (Literary Encyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.). Seller Inventory # BB1801

Bibliographic Details

Title: Cakes and Ale or The Skeleton in the ...

Publisher: William Heinemann, London

Publication Date: 1930

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

Edition: First Edition.