"OF COURSE YOU KNOW WHICH MY FAVOURITE IS…"

MAUGHAM, W. Somerset. Cakes and Ale, or the Skeleton in the Cupboard. London: William Heinemann, (1930). Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $1200.

First edition, first state, of Maugham's controversial satirical novel, praised by Gore Vidal as a "perfect novel," a splendid copy.

Maugham's Cakes and Ale roused a storm of controversy on publication for its wickedly satirical treatment of contemporary literary poseurs. "Desmond MacCarthy, writing in 1934, called Cakes and Ale 'a model of construction,' while in the second half of the century Gore Vidal described it as a 'perfect novel' and Anthony Burgess called it simply 'superb'" (Hastings, Secret Lives, 353). First state, with the "t" dropped in "won't" (page 147, line 14). Published only two months after its initial serialization in the March and July issues of Harper's Bazaar. Precedes the first American edition. Stott A40. Small owner notation to rear blank.

Only lightest toning to dust jacket spine. A handsome copy in fine condition.