On a Chinese Screen

by W. Somerset Maugham 

First dition, signed.  London:  William Heinemann, 1922 

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD condition.

• Black covers with gilt text and decoration.   
• Boards show some wear at shoulder, bowing, edgewear.  Corners are worn, with exposed board.  See photos.  
• Spine has gilt text and is a little sunned with crushed ends.  See photos.  
• Binding is secure, with some pages opening to the stitches.  See photos. 
• Pastedowns and feps have some staining, a gift inscription.
• Book seller's listing, a personal note, are inside back cover.  
• Interior is gently age-toned.  Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Text block edges have deckle fore and foot edges, some shelf wear at foot.  See photos. 
• PS2026.1111

237 pages. 6 x 8 inches.

First Edition.  Publisher's gilt-decorated black cloth.  Signed and inscribed by Maugham on the half-title page.  Boards show some bowing, edgewear.  Interior is unmarked, pages have generous margins.  Condition is overall Very Good for this signed first edition.

This classic travel book by W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) is a series of short sketches he wrote during a trip along the Yangtze River in 1919–1920.  While the subject of the book is China, it is equally focused on the various Westerners Maugham met during the trip and on the considerable cultural differences they encountered as they journeyed.  

This copy has its own history of ownership and association.  The half-title page is inscribed to Maugham's nephew Robin ("for Robin W M," followed by Maugham's characteristic slash).  On the front end paper is a small gift inscription, "Elsie.  With love from Eric.  February 1923."  Inside the back cover is a cataloguer's entry from Ursus Rare Books in New York City, together with a note on an Ursus notecard.  The card is addressed to Mrs. Charles W. Engelhard, with the note inside from her daughter Susan.  Jane Engelhard (1917-2004) was an American philanthropist and patron of the arts.  Born in China, she, her second husband Charles W. Engelhard, and their five daughters lived in Bedminster, New Jersey.

First London Edition.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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