Scarce in the wrapper

Maugham, Somerset ~ Don Fernando, or Variations on some Spanish Themes

First UK Printing : William Heinemann Ltd., London: 1935

Large 4to., black cloth, lettered with decorative floral border in gilt to upper board; publisher’s device gilt to lower corner; and spine fully decorated in gilt; together in the duplicate black and gold dust wrapper (unclipped, 8/6 net); THE BOOK a very good example, overall; light spotting to the edges of the text block; thin blue pen mark to the lower edge; a couple of small dents and bumps to the edges of boards, and some minor fraying to spine tips; sticker of bookseller Geoffrey Tyndale to the rear paste-down; the very good WRAPPER lightly rubbed all over, with some creasing to folds, and some nicking to the spine ends; one small crease to upper edge of front panel leading to a couple of small closed tears; scarce, still, with the wrapper so intact. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. First trade edition. Considered by Graham Greene to be Maugham's best work, Don Fernando describes the people, landscape, and culture of Spain through a series of chapters which explore such themes as the writings of St. Teresa, the paintings of El Greco, and illustrious figures which include Cervantes, Velazquez and the legendary figure of Don Juan. Maugham had first written about Spain in 1904, when he had travelled to Seville, grew a moustache, smoked cigars, and took lessons on the guitar. During his time in the city he wrote a series of novels, plays and short stories, although his travelogue, The Land of the Blessed Virgin Mary remains one of his lesser-known works, overshadowed by his later writings on his travels within the country. Maugham continued to travel for the majority of his life, including stints in Europe; the Pacific Islands; the United States; Russia; South East Asia and China; North Africa and India. The world his canvas, many of these settings provide the basis for his later novels and stories, and Don Fernando is written with the same nostalgic air as any of his works of fiction. “I was living in Seville at the time…”, he begins, “and whenever I went out or came home I passed Don Fernando’s tavern…from the ceiling hung bunches of Spanish onions, strings of sausages and hams from Granada, which Don Fernando always said were the best in Spain.” “Mr Maugham will pause to tell us where he found the best arroz or the most delicious sucking pig and how good the fish is at Vigo and even the ungreedy will regret lost opportunities” (Dust jacket) Scarce in the jacket.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good
JACKET: Very Good