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Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
MAUGHAM, W. SOMERSET. The Painted Veil. Two Inscribed copies: a first and a second issue. 8vo, gilt-lettered blue cloth, both lightly rubbed along joints and edges, first with blistered front cover; second with splits between some gatherings, mostly where cancels inserted; each in a separate chemise, laid into 1/2 gilt-lettered blue morocco slipcase. London: William Heinemann, (1925)
inscribed copies of the first book forms; first issue, second printing (with 26 works listed on title verso) and second issue, first printing. Both inscribed to Fred Bason: the first issue simply states "For Fred Bason from W. Somerset Maugham" while the second mentions the alteration: "For Fred / W. Somerset Maugham. This is the Second issue. Hong Kong was changed to an imaginary name." Maugham was forced to drastically alter his text because of threatened libel suits after the first printings had been run off. The first involved a suit by a couple bearing the names of the main characters; this was after the serialized form in Nash's magazine. Maugham changed their name to Fane for the book edition but, after two printings (and 4,000 copies dispatched), the Assistant Secretary of the Hong Kong Government protested against the setting of the story. To avoid further complications, Maugham made the change, inserting three new signatures and cancel pages into the copies already printed and recalled, along with a disclaimer as "Author's Note." Stott A33.
