Posts
The Summing Up Limited Edition (1954) – W. Somerset Maugham
The Summing Up (1954) Limited Edition - SlipcaseThe Summing Up (New York: Doubleday & Co., 1954)
In this post I am going to talk about a beautiful book, both in content and as an object, a little present that I got for myself, a very special present indeed. In a moment, I will tell you why.
In a previous post I mentioned another limited edition printed for the celebration of Maugham's eightieth birthday: Cakes and Ale, published by Heinemann, with a special preface and four pages of re…
50th Anniversary of W. Somerset Maugham's Death
King's School - W. Somerset Maugham gardenW. Somerset Maugham's plaque
Today is the 50th anniversary of W. Somerset Maugham's death. A solemn occasion, especially with the round number. Maugham told us that he wasn't too enthusiastic about a memorial service and was determined to have none; he frowned upon the festivity and the complacency of those who are still alive.
There is something more that he would be sour about this year. For those of us in some parts of this planet w…
"The Great William Somerset Maugham Seen Through the Eyes of a Friend—"
W. Somerset Maugham, Barbara Back (middle row, second from right/left), Gerald Haxton, & Friendsfrom Hastings's The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham
This post concerns an article written by W. Somerset Maugham's closest female friend, Barbara Back, about him. Before talking about it, I am going to give some background about its writer.
Barbara Back is not an unfamiliar name to those who become interested in Maugham's life. However, I haven't come across much about her. Fro…
Cakes and Ale (1950) With a Special Introduction - W. Somerset Maugham
Cakes and Ale 1950, Modern LibraryCakes and Ale (New York: The Modern Library, 1950)
I realize that though I have mentioned this edition in a previous post, I haven't talked about it. This is the 1950 Modern Library edition of Cakes and Ale, with a subdue but pleasant dust jacket. What is special about it is the new introduction in which W. Somerset Maugham "confessed" that he based the character Alroy Kear on Hugh Walpole, which I discussed in details before.
For some reasons th…
W. Somerset Maugham: Four Short Stories Illustrated with Drawings by Henri Matisse
W. Somerset Maugham Four Short Stories Illustrated with Drawings by Matisse, 1970W. Somerset Maugham: Four Short Stories Illustrated with Drawings by Henri Matisse
cover decorated with Habor at Collioure (1906) (Kansas City: Hallmark Cards, 1970)
Browsing at a book store the other day I found this neat little volume (12cm x 20cm). I don't remember the last time I browsed at a bookstore with satisfactory profit, and thus I am very happy to have got a few things this time for a change.
Arabesq…