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RADUGA EDITIONS -- A collection of 20 works published by Raduga of Moscow and St. Petersburg, mostly first edition, including: EFIMOV, A. and PIAST, V. Lev Petrovich, (no date); TRONOV, V. and ROZHDESTVENSKII, V. V Lesakh Robin Guda, (no date); MARSHAK, S. and CHEKANOVSKII. Pochta, (no date); MARSHAK, S. and CHEKANOVSKII. Sem Chudes, (no date); MARSHAK, S. and PASTUKHOVA, P. Raduga, 1926; POKROVSKII, B. and LENSKII, V. Len'-Lenitse, 1925; RAKHMANIN, M. and S. and BIANKI, V. Odnodnevki, 1925; ZHAB, A. and AGNIVTSEV, N. Kirpichiki moi, 1926; and 12 others published by Raduga c.1920s-1930s, illustrated by various artists including Iurii Annenkov and Sergei Chekhonin, all in the original illustrated wrappers (some wear and some soiling). (20) View on Christie's.com

BACON, Francis -- MALLET, David (1705-1765). Zhitie [-- Sokrashchenie Filosofii] Kantslera Frantsiska Bakona. [The Life (-- Abridged Philosophy) of Francis Bacon.] Translated by Vasilii Trediakovskii. Moscow: at the Imperial University, 1760. 2 parts in 1 vol., 4° (238 x 184mm). (Dampstained, tear in the inner margin of the last leaf, occasional soiling.) Contemporary Russian calf, edges dyed red (worn with loss at the spine and extremities). Provenance: an early reader (indistinct cancelled signatures) -- Russian bookseller (small stamps). FIRST EDITION IN RUSSIAN of a work praised by Fielding for its and judgment and 'nervous, manly style'; Gibbon also admired the 'vigorous sense' of Mallet as a historian (quoted in ODNB). WorldCat locates copies only at Harvard and at the British Library. Sopikov 4066; SK 4022. View on Christie's.com

BARKHATNAIA KNIGA -- Rodoslovnaia kniga kniazei i dvorian rossiiskikh i vyezzhikh i kotoraia izvestna pod nazvaniem Barkhatnoi knigi. [Genealogical Book of Russian Princes and Nobles, also known as The Velvet Book.] Moscow: N. Novikov at the University Press, 1787. Volume one only (of 2). 8° (190 x 120mm). (Without the front blank.) Early 19th-century Russian half calf, flat spine gilt and with contrasting label, edges sprinkled blue (worn, front joint and hinge split, wear on the front endpaper). Provenance: 'N.S.' (title signature) -- another owner (light annotations in the index) -- Serge Diaghilev (sold, lot 57, Sotheby's, 28 November 1975). FIRST EDITION, THE DIAGHILEV COPY OF 'A GREAT RARITY' (Bitovt). Published by Nikolai Novikov. Bitovt 2171; Sopikov 5197; SK 6018 (variant 2 of the preface). View on Christie's.com

BELIAVSKII, Frants Mikhailovich. Poezdka k Ledovitomu Moriu. [Journey to the Arctic Ocean.] Moscow: at the Press of the Lazarev Institute of Eastern Languages, 1833. 8° (217 x 130mm). Hand-coloured frontispiece, additional engraved title, 3 hand-coloured folding plates by Zheren, and one folding engraved plate of snowflakes. (Spotting and some soiling in the text, one coloured plate with some foxing, engraved pate with tears and some old repairs.) Contemporary Russian green morocco, spine lettered in gilt, sides panelled in gilt and blind and centred with a large architectural design blocked in gilt, edges gilt, pink moiré silk endpaper, edges gilt (light wear). Provenance: K. Shmataev (signature in an early hand). FIRST EDITION, IN A HANDSOME RUSSIAN ROMANTIQUE BINDING, with moiré endpapers, and finely hand-coloured plates. Beliavskii reports on his journey to Western Siberia, his encounters with the Ostiak and Samoyedic peoples, their customs including Shamanism, and language, flora and fauna. The illustrations also include a plate of various snow crystal structures. Obol'ianinov 157. View on Christie's.com

BOGDANOVICH, E.V. Sinop. 18 Noiabria 1853 goda. St. Petersburg: by V. Kirshbaum, 1878. 8° (218 x 140mm). 6 plates, one of these an albumen print and the others colour and tinted lithographs. (Some spotting.) 19th-century Russian quarter roan, title mounted on the upper side perhaps part of the original wrapper (spine chipped and faded, later label on the spine, extremities rubbed). Provenance: E.V. Bogdanovich (presentation inscription to:) -- Grigorii Aleksandrovich Kovalevskii (1842-1882) -- Z.G. Kovalevskii (inscription) -- 'L.H.S.' (stamped cipher). FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR to General Grigorii Aleksandrovich Kovalevskii, Commander of the Life-Guards Dragoons regiment, and a very highly regarded soldier who distinguished himself in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Published to commemorate the 25 years since Russia's decisive victory against the Ottoman Empire in the naval battle at Sinop, the battle which led to Great Britain's joining the Crimean War against Russian in 1854. View on Christie's.com

DAL, Vladimir Ivanovich (pseud. of V. Luganskii; 1801-1872). Pokhozhdeniia Khristiana Khristianovicha Violdamira i ego arsheta. [The Adventures of Violdamir.] St. Petersburg: M.D. Ol'khin, 1844. 3 parts in one vol., (300 x 235mm). Additional engraved title, and 50 plates after A.N. Sapozhnikov. (Additional title torn with some loss and repaired, some spotting.) Contemporary Russian green quarter roan, letterd up the spine in gilt (extremities rubbed). Provenance: P.A. Efremov (author, publisher, collector; label, binding) -- Gubar & Vol'kov, bookellers (label) -- Paul M. Fekula. FIRST EDITION. RARE. THE EFREMOV-FEKULA COPY. A very good copy of Dal's adventures of an itinerant violinist and his dog, superbly illustrated by Sapozhnikov. This one the variant issued together with the text; a variant is known issued with the plates only. Burtsev 1558; Fekula 4940 (this copy); Obol'ianinov 1514; Smirnov-Sokol'skii 668. View on Christie's.com

DOBELL, Peter (d.1852). Puteshestviia i noveishiia nabliudeniia v Kitae, Manill i Indo-Kitaiskom Arkhipelag. [Journey and Latest Observations in China, Manilla and the Indo-China Archipelago.] Translated from the English by A. Dzhunkovskii. St. Petersburg: N. Grech, 1833. 2 vols, 8° (206 x 125mm and 211 x 129mm). Lithographed frontispieces. (Light spotting and light soiling.) In contrasting half calf and full calf bindings, vol. 1 spine gilt (spine ends chipped, extremities rubbed, sides scuffed). Provenance: 20th-century Russian booksellers (various stamps; vol. 2 with Mogiz book-ticket). FIRST EDITION. Born in Ireland and educated in America, Dobell ultimately settled on Russian citizenship. Dobell identified the Philippines as a key base from which to organize the regular supply of provisions to the Russian Far East and suggested the idea to the Russian government, sending at his own cost three ships from Manila to Kamchatka. Alexander I approved the plan and appointed Dobell Consul General of Russia's first mission in Manila. Dobell made three trips to China, where he lived for seven years. This work is based in part on his Travels in Kamtchatka and Siberia, published in London in 1830, but adds seven chapters and appendices. A French translation was published in 1838. Cordier 2109. (2) View on Christie's.com

FREIMAN, Otto Rudol'fovich von. Pazhi za 185 let (1811-1896). Biografii s portretami. St. Petersburg: Fridrikhsgamn for the author, 1897 [but 1898]. 4° (284 x 210mm). Tinted lithographed title, two frontispieces, illustrated throughout. (Some spotting, a few tears.) Original dark blue half roan, red cloth sides, upper side stamped in gilt, spine stamped in blind and gilt, white moiré-style endpapers (corners rubbed, spine evenly faded, light soiling). Provenance: an early reader (signature dated 1934, some marginalia, two clippings tipped-in on blanks). FIRST EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL BINDING. One of the most useful books still on the Corps des Pages, the elite military school for the sons of noblemen and high-ranking officers. View on Christie's.com

GOLOVNIN, Vasilii -- RIKORD, Petr Ivanovich, Captain (1776-1855). Zapiski flota kapitana Rikorda o plavanii ego k Yaponskim beregam v 1812 i 1813 godakh. [Notes of Fleet Captain Rikord concerning his sailing to Japan's shores in 1812 and 1813, and about his relations with the Japanese.] St. Petersburg: at the Naval Press, 1816. 4° (235 x 184mm). Engraved portrait of Takadaya-Kahei, and 4 engraved folding plans after Rikord. (Damptain in the bottom margin of some leaves, light scattered spotting.) Contemporary Russian red half sheep, spine label (spine foot repaired, small repairs on the endpapers). Provenance: 20th-century Russian booksellers (stamps on the endpapers). FIRST EDITION OF RIKORD'S EXPEDITION TO RESCUE GOLOVNIN. It constitutes an important and early first-hand account of contact between Japan and Russia. Rikord sailed to Japan on the Russian sloop-of-war Diana, taking on board a number of Japanese seamen shipwrecked off the coast of Kamchatka, and capturing Takadaya-Kahei and several crew from a large junk. He landed at Kunashie where he negotiated the eventual release of Golovnin, averting war with Japan. Golovnin later wrote a popular account of the experiences; both accounts were translated for an English edition in 1818. Whittaker, Russia Engages the World, p.189; not in Obol'ianinov (which notes only an 1851 edition). View on Christie's.com

IVAN IV -- Sudebnik Gosudaria Tsaria i Velikago Kniazia Ioanna Vasil'evicha. [The Law Code of Ivan Vasilievich.] Moscow: at the Imperial University Press, 1768. 4° (240 x 190mm). (Light spotting.) Contemporary Russian mottled calf (spine caps chipped, corners rubbed). Provenance: Aleksandr Ivanovich Ivanov (stamps) -- Russian bookseller (small stamps) . FIRST EDITION. Ivan IV's reform of the law code shifted power from the aristocracy to State and local institutions. This edition was prepared by G.F. Miller from the manuscript owned by Vasilii Tatishchev. Bitovt 1638; SK 6936; Sopikov 11593. View on Christie's.com

Kirillova kniga. [The Book of Saint Kyrill, Archbishop of Jerusalem.] Moscow: Printing House, 1644. 2° (297 x 191mm). Signature and pagination in Slavonic alphabetic numerals: 15+8+561 pages, p.355/6 double numbered. With the final blank leaf but without the front blank and two other blanks. Woodcut headpieces and initials, some printed in red. (Soiled and dampstained throughtout, a few tears occasionally affecting text.) 17th-century Russian red straight-grained calf, sides with gilt and blind borders, lower cover with brass centre- and cornerpieces, metal shoes and brass catches, edges gauffered and gilt (lacks clasps). Provenance: Aleksandr Polusharov Litovskii (inscription at foot of fifth leaf) -- Riga Orthodox Seminary (library stamp). FIRST EDITION OF THIS INFLUENTIAL ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL COMPILATION, printed with the authority of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. Some of the texts are strongly anti-Catholic and anti-Protestant. This included the Homily on the anti-Christ by Kyrill, comparing the anti-Christ with the Pope of Rome. It was widely read in Moscow and orthodox Russia, and reprinted in the 18th century. RARE: WorldCat locates no copies in the UK, and only microfilm in the USA. Pozdeeva 352; Sopikov 569; Zernova 169. View on Christie's.com

MALINOVSKII, Aleksei (ed.) Istoricheskoe Opisanie Drevnago Rossiiskago Muzeia. [A Historical Account of the Museum of Ancient Russia. Part I (all published).] Moscow: P.S. Valuev at the Imperial Moscow University, 1807. 2° (507 x 347mm). Printed on papier bleuté, bound with the printed dedication to Alexander I and with the part title. Engraved title-vignette, 30 engraved plates by Sokolov. (Occasional light marginal soiling.) Contemporary Russian diced red morocco gilt, flat spine gilt in compartments and with green morocco label, sides with gilt foliate scrolling border, gilt edges (a few scuff, some wear including some creasing at the spine and a tear at the head). Provenance: P.S. Valuev (presentation inscription to:) -- Prince A.B. Kurakin. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY IN RED MOROCCO INSCRIBED BY VALUEV TO PRINCE KURAKIN, in Russian: 'To His Excellency Prince Aleksei Borisovich Kurakin from Peter Stepanovich Valuev'. Kurakin, confident of Tsar Paul I, was during Alexander's reign Imperial Chancellor, and Russia's Ambassador in Vienna and Paris. Valuev, who published the book, had been charged by Alexander I to transform the Kremlin's ancient treasury into a museum. The engraved plates, here in excellent condition, show primarily the crowns and state regalia from the era of the Great Princes. Rare: ABPC records only two copies at auction in 35 years; this one is the only presentation copy in red morocco. Obol'ianinov 1141; Sopikov 7574. View on Christie's.com

NABOKOV, Vladimir Vladimirovich (1899-1977). Poems and Problems. New York and Toronto: McGraw-Hill, 1970. 8° (210 x 145mm). Original black cloth, upper side blocked in blind, spine blocked in gilt, top edge red, original dust-jacket. Provenance: Vladimir Nabokov (presentation inscription to:) -- Vera Nabokov -- by descent to the consignor. FIRST EDITION, THE DEDICATION COPY. PRESENTED BY THE AUTHOR TO HIS WIFE WITH TWO FINE BUTTERFLY DRAWINGS, each of the colourful insects with taxonomic labels playing on qualities Nabokov found in his wife. The book is further inscribed, in Russian, 'to darling Vera from V', and dated 'Montreux March 15 1971'; Nabokov notes on the copyright page that, though copyrighted 1970, this first bound copy reached him on the day he inscribed it to Vera, to whom the book is dedicated in print. Nabokov has also made a correction to the solution of one of the chess problems. The poems in this edition are in Russian with facing translation in English. View on Christie's.com

NABOKOV, Vladimir -- ZIMMER, Dieter E. Vladimir Nabokov. Bibliographie des Gesamtwerks. Hamburg: Rowohlt, 1963. 8° (190 x 115mm). Original wrappers (small round sticker on the front wrapper). Provenance: Vladimir Nabokov (presentation inscription to:) -- Dmitri Nabokov. FIRST EDITION. PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY NABOKOV TO HIS SON DMITRI WITH A LONG MANUSCRIPT POEM. Nabokov inscribed this copy twice, at Christmas 1959 and Christmas 1963, once quoting Pasternak's 'Ia ves mir zastavil plakat' and once with a variant of his own poem that opens: 'Kakoe sdelal ia durnoe delo i ia-li razvratitel i zlodei Ia, zastavliaiushchii mechtat mir tselyi o bednoi devochke moei?' Zimmer's is the first comprehensive bibliography of Nabokov's works. View on Christie's.com

NABOKOV, Vladimir Vladimirovich. Pnin. A Novel. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, 1957. 8° (210 x 140mm). Original black cloth, original dust-jacket (front hinge split, dust-jacket yellowed, spine ends chipped, long tear at front panel fold with spine, adhesive stain on front endpapers). Provenance: Vladimir Nabokov (gift inscription and drawings to:) -- Sonia Slonim -- Vladimir Nabokov (book label) -- by descent to the consignor. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTED BY THE AUTHOR, WITH BUTTERFLY DRAWINGS, TO HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, Sonia Slonim. One butterfly is drawn on the half-title, with the inscription, in Russian: 'To Sonia from Volodia'; another is on a piece of Doubleday letterhead fixed to the front endpaper, and two further, small butterfly drawings appear on other preliminary leaves. Sonia Slonim was part of the Nabokov's close family circle after emigrating to the United States. Juliar A30.1. View on Christie's.com

NABOKOV, Vladimir Vladimirovich. Vesna v Fial'te i drugie rasskazy. [Spring in Fialta and Other Stories.] New York: Chekhov Publishing, 1956. 8° (216 x 141mm). (Faint staining on the endpapers.) Original printed wrappers (light wear). Provenance: Vladimir Nabokov (gift inscription and drawings to:) --Sonia Slonim-- Vladimir Nabokov (book label) -- by descent to the consignor. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTED BY THE AUTHOR, WITH A FINE BUTTERFLY DRAWING, TO HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, Sonia Slonim. The butterfly drawing is captioned 'Vladimirius Nabokovius', and the title-page shows the inscription, 'to dear Sonia from the author', and two small butterflies circling the publisher's printed device. Juliar A29.1. View on Christie's.com

NABOKOV, Vladimir Vladimirovich. Kamera obskura. [Laughter in the Dark.] Paris: Sovremennyia Zapiski and Parabola, 1933. 8° (190 x 120mm). (Small losses in a very few margins.) Original printed wrappers (chipped, worn and soiled). Provenance: Vladimir Nabokov (gift inscription dated 13 December to:) -- Anna Feigin -- Vladimir Nabokov (book label) -- by descent to the consignor. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR to Anna Feigin, in Russian: 'to darling Anna, sweet and dear, from V. December 13'. Although Nabokov does not give the year in his presentation this was almost certainly the year of publication. Anna Feigin was Nabokov's cousin by marriage, and lived with the Nabokovs for extended periods. Rare: ABPC records only one copy selling at auction in over 30 years: the copy inscribed to his wife. Juliar A14.1. View on Christie's.com

NICHOLAS II -- KRIVENKO, V.S. (ed.). Koronatsionnyi sbornik s soizvoleniia Ego Imperatorskago Velichestva Gosudariia Imperatora. Ch. II tol'ko. [Coronation Album of His Imperial Highness the Sovereign Emperor. Volume 2 only.] St. Petersburg: Expedition for the Preparation of Government Papers, 1899. 2° (440 x 320mm). Illustrated throughout with chromolithographs and photographic reproductions, tissue guards, those for the photographic illustrations with printed captions. (Dampstain in the margins of the first few gatherings, occasional soiling, tears in a few tissue guards, a few leaves loose.) Original green leather spine and green pictorial cloth sides, the covers and spine blocked in various colours and gilt, metal medallion mounted on the front board, edges gilt, endpapers printed in silver and gilt (soiled, corners rubbed, front free endpaper adhering to the pastedown at one corner and with short tears). Provenance: H.R.H. Princess Maria Gabriella di Savoia (sold, Christie's, 27 June 2007, lot 17). FIRST EDITION. THE RARE RUSSIAN-LANGUAGE ISSUE. Volume 2, from the collection of Princess Maria Gabriella di Savoia, with the folding menu after Vasnetsov's original design. A lavish publication, illustrated throughout with reproductions of the menus and programs of festivities, and photographic portraits of noble families and dignitaries in attendance. View on Christie's.com

PORDAGE, John (1607-1681). Bozhestvennaia i istinnaia metafizika, ili divnoe i opytom priobretennoe vedenie ne vidimykh i vechnykh veshchei. [Theologia Mystica, or the Mystic Divinity of the Eternal Invisibles.] [Moscow: c.1787.] 3 vols, 8° (202 x 121mm). With all half-titles. 3 engraved plates, one of which folding, illustrations. (Occasional light spotting.) Near contemporary Russian half calf, flat spines lettered and tooled in gilt and blind (corners rubbed, small chips at spine ends, sides lightly scuffed). Provenance: a Russian reader (light pencilled marginalia). FIRST EDITION IN RUSSIAN, AND AMONG THE RAREST RUSSIAN MASONIC BOOKS.'Extremely rare' (Bitovt); 'a great rarity' (Sopikov). One of only 300 copies, printed on a clandestine press, distributed privately, and the majority of which were confiscated and destroyed. The Grand Lodge of Russia came into being in 1776. Catherine II, whose son and eventual heir was a Mason, feared that the lodges could be used for political purposes, and in 1794 banned all Masonic activity within her realm. WorldCat locates only one copy, at Harvard University. Bitovt 2152; Longinov, Novikov i Moskovskie Martinisty, p.283; Sopikov 6211; SK 5522. (3) View on Christie's.com

VOL'F, N. B., Baron. Imperatorskii farforovyi zavod 1774-1904. [The Imperial Porcelain Factory.] St. Petersburg: Golike & Vil'borg for the Imperial Factory [1906]. 2° (380 x 290mm). 12 tinted gravures printed on china and mounted on card and with printed tissue guards, one chromolithograph of marks, c.500 illustrations throughout. (Two plates detached but present, one tissue guard with a long tear.) Contemporary Russian blue half roan (extremities rubbed). FIRST EDITION OF THIS 'FUNDAMENTAL STUDY'; 'the history of this enterprise is an important part of the general history of the Russian applied arts and is of great help for students of the national crafts of the 18th-19th centuries... the book had a limited circulation. It is difficult to find a copy of it in a decent state' (Vengerov). Vengerov, Staraia Russkaia Kniga, 78. View on Christie's.com

J.K. Rowling, The Harry Pottery Series, First Edition of "The Chamber of Secrets", "The Prisoner of Azkaban", "Goblet of Fire", "Order of the Phoenix", "Half-Blood Prince" and "Deathly Hallows", (6).

Wade Tom & Jerry and Wade First Edition Cub (3)

A modern silver chalice, by Garrard & Company Ltd, London 1972, 16cm high, in a fitted case with certificate, 6oz A reproduction of the Hertford Elizabethan Chalice, numbered 740 in a limited edition of 1300, to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the first ever National Church Assembly held in England, the Synod of Hertford 673.

Maugham (William Somerset) Liza of Lambeth first edition second issue Colonial Edition with “[All rights reserved]” on verso of title 6pp. advertisements at end further advert for Colonial library facing title original plum cloth spine slightly dulled light marking to lower cover and lower corner-tips rubbed otherwise very good [Stott A1a (this binding not in Stott)] T.Fisher Unwin 1897.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Making of a Saint first English edition title lettered in red & black 8pp. advertisements bookplate of Sir Arthur Philip du Cros endpapers split small tear to rear free endpaper original Kendal green cloth t.e.g. hinges pulling slightly some slight rubbing [Stott A2b] T.Fisher Unwin 1898; and a reprint of the same 8vo (2) *** Sir Arthur Philip du Cros (1871-1955) industrialist founder of the Dunlop Rubber Company.(2)

Maugham (William Somerset) Orientations first edition first issue title lettered in red & black bound in later half morocco and green cloth with Maugham`s Moorish symbol against the evil eye in gilt on upper cover t.e.g. others rough-trimmed [Stott A3a] 8vo T.Fisher Unwin 1899. *** The author`s first published collection of short stories.

Maugham (William Somerset) Orientations first edition second issue (with cut edges) title lettered in red & black endpapers split and browned Stott`s third variant binding original olive cloth spine slightly lightened [Stott A3a(iii)] 8vo T. Fisher Unwin 1899.

Maugham (William Somerset) Orientations first edition Colonial Edition foxing to endpapers and lesser extent half-title some marking owner`s ink stamp to head of front free endpaper original green cloth slight discolouration to extremities some minor rubbing [Stott A3a] 8vo T.Fisher Unwin 1899.

Maugham (William Somerset) A Man of Honour first American edition original pictorial wrappers a little minor creasing & rubbing otherwise very good [Stott A6b] 8vo Chicago The Dramatic Publishing Company 1912. *** One of only 500 copies.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Explorer first edition first issue blind-stamped “presentation copy” to head of title with publisher`s pencil note “12/12/07” indicating publication date 4pp. advertisements original petrol blue cloth with gilt lettering to spine and upper cover and author`s device on upper cover but this copy without the publisher`s blind-stamp on lower cover called for by Stott minor rubbing to extremities and slight pulling but overall a very good copy [Stott A10a] 8vo Heinemann 1908 [1907].

Maugham (William Somerset) The Explorer first American & Illustrated edition colour frontispiece and 3 plain plates gothic bookplate of Mary Blyth original olive green cloth lettered in gilt a very good copy preserved in custom slip-case [Stott A10c] 8vo New York Baker & Taylor 1909. *** Mary Blyth could possibly be an actress who appeared in several plays commissioned by American theatre impresario Charles Frohman who also commissioned several works by Somerset Maugham before his untimely death aboard the Lusitania when it was torpedoed in May 1915.

Maugham (William Somerset) Lady Frederick first edition original champagne wrappers printed in red a very good copy [Stott A12] 8vo Heinemann 1912 [1911]. *** Somerset Maugham`s first commercial play written in 1903 and first performed in 1907. The play was difficult to place originally due to the pivotal scene requiring the leading lady to appear on stage completely without make-up; many of the leading actresses of the era were approached with the role but all rejected it with varying degree of horror at the prospect. Fortunately Ethel Irving agreed to take the part and the play proved a huge success with audiences and critics alike leading to Somerset Maugham becoming one of the most prolifically staged playwrights of the period.

Maugham (William Somerset) Mrs. Dot first edition bookplate original red buckram spine sunned [Stott A14] 8vo Heinemann 1912.

Maugham (William Somerset) Penelope first edition signed presentation copy from the author original red buckram [Stott A15] 8vo Heinemann 1912. *** Inscribed to a Mrs. Thompson.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Explorer first edition [one of 200 or less copies] stamped “made in Great Britain” on verso of title ink name on front free endpaper original grey boards with printed label on spine spine slightly darkened and rubbed but overall a very good copy Heinemann [Doran] 1912; and the 2 first Heinemann UK editions in red buckram and champagne wrappers respectively [Stott A16] 8vo (3) *** The first mentioned was made from the Heinemann sheets to be published by George H.Doran; if the edition for Doran was to exceed 200 it would have the imprint amended to Doran`s but any less would keep the original Heinemann title [see Stott p.14 Note 5].(3)

Maugham (William Somerset) Landed Gentry first edition bookplate and ink name on front free endpaper original red buckram slight fading [Stott A18] 8vo Heinemann 1913.

Maugham (William Somerset) Smith original champagne wrappers printed in brown slight wear to spine ends 1913; and the buckram-bound edition of the same first editions [Stott A19] 8vo Heinemann (2)(2)

Maugham (William Somerset) Of Human Bondage first edition first issue with error present on p.257 line 4 contemporary ink owner`s inscription on front free endpaper slight splitting to lower endpapers original green cloth blocked and lettered in gilt minor fraying to corner tips otherwise very good preserved in later morocco-backed cloth drop-back box lettered in gilt and with author`s device in gilt [Stott A21a] 8vo New York Doran 1915. *** The true first edition published a day before the UK edition. Drawing again considerably on the author`s own experiences this work`s merit was initially slow to be seen by many though Theodore Dreiser reviewing the book for The New Republic in December 1915 defined it as a “novel or biography or autobiography or social transcript of utmost importance” and its author as a “genius”. As Somerset Maugham`s reputation developed further however Of Human Bondage was soon given the reverence and canonical status it deserved.

Maugham (William Somerset) Of Human Bondage first English edition 16pp. advertisements hinges pulling slightly with splitting to rear endpapers original petrol blue cloth lettered in gilt with author`s device in gilt on upper cover and publisher`s device in blind on lower rubbed at joints and corners a few very small abrasions early dust-jacket with price-sticker 3`6 on spine browned at spine rubbed at fore-edges with some chipping and minor loss to corners and spine ends [Stott A21b] 8vo Heinemann 1915. *** The first English edition of possibly Somerset Maugham`s most famous work; this edition was printed from plates made from the American type. The dust-jacket is contemporary to the publication as it lists the same 6` titles on the rear panel as the page facing the book`s title-page but it has the price-sticker on it with 3`6 whilst Stott calls for 6` and this has a differing number of 1` titles listed on the inside front flap than called for by Stott. The matter of a suppressed edition of the dust-jacket being identifiable from the side of Philip Carey`s club-foot illustrated on the upper panel of the jacket is it seems somewhat moot as certainly some subsequent impressions (examples of which are included in the following lots) also still have the club foot the wrong way round.

Maugham (William Somerset) Of Human Bondage first English edition first issue this copy without advertisements original petrol blue cloth hinges pulling slightly otherwise a good copy in facsimile dust-jacket [Stott A21b] 8vo Heinemann 1915.

Maugham (William Somerset) Of Human Bondage first illustrated edition number 108 of 751 copies signed by the author & illustrator 24 plates by Randolph Schwabe title printed in black & brown with author`s device ownership inscription on front free endpaper original brown buckram t.e.g. others uncut [Stott A21d] 4to New York Doubleday Doran & Co. 1936.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Moon and Sixpence first edition first issue (with original advertisements and last integral gathering of 6 ff.) inscribed from the author to Edward & Mary Johnston 4pp. advertisements usual browning sage green cloth blocked in black with author`s device a very good copy with facsimile dust-jacket [Stott A22a] 8vo Heinemann 1919. *** Edward Johnston was the British Vice-Counsel in Seville living with his wife Mary in the Santa Cruz quarter; Somerset Maugham lodged with them for a period in the 1890s. Edward Johnston is credited with being the inspiration for the moral but somewhat “snobbish” Resident in the author`s short-story The Outstation whilst Mrs Johnston was the dedicatee in his first collection of short stories Orientations.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Moon and Sixpence Acme Library edition signed presentation copy from the author to Wentworth Huyshe with further inscription from Huyshe both on half-title original wrappers mounted in parts and bound-in handsomely bound in later morocco-backed marbled boards g.e. marbled board slip-case 8vo Heinemann 1921. *** Wentworth Huyshe was a friend of both Harry & William Somerset Maugham proving a wonderful mentor to the latter introducing him to many of the notable artforms and artists of the day and helping develop Somerset Maugham`s passion for paintings. Huyshe`s inscription describes the presentation of this book to him “Given to me by W.S.M. at his house 2 Wyndham Place Bryanston Square London on August 3rd 1922. Wentworth Huyshe.” Maugham sent one of the initial six presentation copies of his first book Liza of Lambeth to Huyshe with a letter acknowledging their friendship and the inspiration Huyshe had provided “I can never forget how kind you were to me when I was a stupid boy...I can honestly say that I owe a great deal to you and now it is a pleasure to be able to send you my first born...I do feel confident that you will give me the helping hand.”

Maugham (William Somerset) Cæsar`s Wife first edition signed by the author with one line inscription to “Violet” on half-title original red buckram spine slightly sunned otherwise very good 1922; and 2 of the first wrappered editions of the same one blind-stamped “presentation copy” the other with Samuel French`s representation fee note mounted on verso of title [Stott A26] 8vo Heinemann (3) *** Probably inscribed to Fay Compton who played Violet in this play when it began its run of 241 performances from March 1919. The brief inscription reads “W. Somerset Maugham 1922 / Violet let us hope for the best”. Fay Compton was seen by many to have made the play a triumph the author himself stating “[it will] remain to me a pleasing memory for the beautiful performance that Miss Fay Compton gave in the part of Violet.” [Collected Plays]. Alternatively it could possibly be Violet Hunt with whom Somerset Maugham had a relationship.(3)

Maugham (William Somerset) East of Suez first edition Eric Quayle`s copy with bookplate original red buckram spine slightly dulled [Stott A27a] Heinemann 1922; East of Suez first American edition stage instructions in pencil throughout related newspaper clipping tipped onto front pastedown small tear to front free endpaper original boards very good small tape burns to covers split to one fore-edge frayed and darkened at spine [Stott A27b] New York Doran 1922; and the wrappered edition of the first mentioned 8vo (3)(3)

Maugham (William Somerset) On a Chinese Screen first English edition owner`s inscription and bookplate on front endpapers original cloth hinges pulling slightly [Stott A28b] 8vo Heinemann 1922.

Maugham (William Somerset) Our Betters first edition bookseller`s small sticker to foot of front pastedown original red buckram spine slightly dulled 1923; and the same in wrappers [Stott A29] 8vo Heinemann (2)(2)

Maugham (William Somerset) Loaves and Fishes first edition bookplate of W.G. Garrard original red buckram spine slightly sunned 1924; and the first edition of the same in original wrappers [Stott A32] 8vo Heinemann (2)(2)

Maugham (William Somerset) The Painted Veil first edition first impression with publisher`s monogram on verso of title original cloth dust-jacket with advertisements on inside chip from top edge of lower panel frayed at head of spine slight rubbing small repairs to inside at upper corners [Stott A33b] 8vo New York Doran 1925.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Casuarina Tree first edition initialled inscription from the author on front free endpaper original dark blue cloth lettered in gilt and with author`s device in black minor bumping overall very good dust-jacket by Ralph Keene slight fraying to spine ends but otherwise very good [Stott A34a] 8vo Heinemann 1926. *** An excellent copy of a fine set of Maugham`s short stories. The inscription reads “To a critic of plays / from a writer of novels / W.S.M.” and was written for his friend the critic & playwright St John Ervine.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Casuarina Tree first American edition Dennis Wheatley`s copy with his bookplate designed by Frank Papé depicting Wheatley at the feet of Gordon-Tombe/Lucifer in the Garden of Eden original brown cloth a very good copy [Stott A34b] 8vo New York 1926.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Constant Wife first English edition from the American sheets [one of 750 copies] frontispiece portrait of Ethel Barrymore original black cloth with yellow printed labels excellent condition printed dust-jacket small chip from head of spine small closed tear to one corner otherwise very good [Stott A35b] Heinemann 1927; and the first Doubleday edition of the same 8vo (2) *** The first Heinemann edition was issued in September from Doran`s sheets in a print run of 750 copies only (compared to Doran`s US run of 2000). The play was first performed at the Ohio Theatre in November 1926 with Ethel Barrymore in the lead; the actress apologised to the author after the first night for suffering stage fright but she vowed it would nevertheless run for two years which it did...(2)

Maugham (William Somerset) The Letter first American edition special souvenir issue given away to audience members on the opening night with the compliments of the producer & publisher frontispiece portrait of Katharine Cornell additional tipped-in cast list added for this edition only original orange wrappers light sunning to spine otherwise very good [Stott A36b Note] 8vo Doran 1927. *** An excellent collector`s item especially in such condition.

Maugham (William Somerset) Ashenden or The Briti first edition original blue cloth titled in gilt with publisher`s & author`s devices in black a fine sharp example dust-jacket priced 7/6 minor loss to upper fore-corner tips overall a very good example with no restoration Stott A37a] 8vo Heinemann 1928. *** An excellent copy of the author`s spy stories based largely on his own undercover experiences in Europe & Russia. It is believed that initially there were 31 stories but 14 had to be destroyed on Churchill`s orders as they were in breach of the Official Secrets Act. Many authors of spy fiction have acknowledged the importance and merit of this work over the years including John Le Carré Graham Greene Eric Ambler Julian Symons and Raymond Chandler.

Maugham (William Somerset) Ashenden or The Briti first edition pencil markings to free endpapers and last p. tear to front free endpaper trimmed and rebound in contemporary cloth [Stott A37a] 8vo Heinemann 1928.

Maugham (William Somerset) The Gentleman in the Pa first edition signed & inscribed by the author for Raymond Marriott trimmed and bound in full green morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe g.e. [Stott A39a] 8vo Heinemann 1930. *** Raymond Marriott (1911-1992) drama critic journalist and author The Blazing Tower (1949). Marriott knew Maugham via a mutual acquaintance George Bullock whom Maugham had assisted with medical expenses for many years. The three fell out somewhat when Bullock & Marriott become conscientious objectors during WW2 much to Maugham`s displeasure though Bullock was far too ill to serve anyway. The inscription reads: “For Raymond Marriott They often ask me which is my favourite book a foolish question because one likes one book for one thing and one for another however if I had to decide I think I should choose this one. W. Somerset Maugham”

Maugham (William Somerset) The Gentleman in the Pa first edition unopened original black cloth with gilt lettering decorations and device dust-jacket an excellent copy [Stott A39] large 8vo Heinemann 1930.

Maugham (William Somerset) Cakes and Ale first edition first impression this copy with 2 of the 3 misprints described by Stott signed inscription from the author on front free endpaper original blue cloth lettered in gilt with author`s & publisher`s devices in black a couple of light marks very slight lightening to spine dust-jacket a very good example [Stott A40a] 8vo Heinemann 1930. *** A wonderful copy of for many Somerset Maugham`s best book continuing the autobiographical trend he had developed in previous works and with the familiar representations of people and places he had come into contact with notably in this work Thomas Hardy (as Edward Driffield) and Hugh Walpole (as Alroy Kear). The inscription reads “For the British War Relief auction / W.Somerset Maugham 16 Oct 1940.”

Maugham (William Somerset) Six Stories Written in first English edition original blue cloth lettered in gilt with author`s & publisher`s devices in black dust-jacket by Youngman Carter a very good copy [Stott A42b] 8vo Heinemann 1931.

[Maugham (William Somerset) The Book Bag] in 20 Best Short Stories in Ray Long`s 20 Years as an Editor pp.558-604 inscribed by Ray Long on front free endpaper original blue cloth gilt [Stott A43a] 8vo New York Ray Long & Richard R.Smith 1932. *** This is the first appearance of this work by Somerset Maugham in print preceding the Orioli edition by 3 months. The inscription from the editor Ray Long is to another contributor Sir Philip Gibbs. Long himself was to subsequently take inspiration from Maugham`s character Strickland in Moon & Sixpence throwing his job in at the age of 50 and moving to an island in the South Pacific to become an artist something that he decided eventually he had no aptitude for committing suicide.