Of Human Bondage Maugham, William Somerset Modern First Editions

First UK edition. Original blue cloth titled in gilt to spine and upper cover. Inscribed on the front endpaper "For Sydney Schiff from his friend W. Somerset Maugham" Violet Schiff's name and dated August 1915 in pencil to the half title, and occasional pencil annotations throughout. A very good copy with the gilt dulled to the spine and a little wear to the spine ends. A significant presentation copy of the author's most notable work, and a classic of twentieth century literature. It is inscribed by Maugham for the modernist author and translator Sydney Schiff. Schiff would go on to complete Scott Moncrieff's translation of Proust, and publish an autobiographical novel sequence under the pseudonym Stephen Hudson. Maugham was a great supporter of his work, and his use of his actual name implies some degree of intimacy. "Here is a novel of the utmost importance. One feels as though one were sitting before a splendid Shiraz or Daghestan of priceless texture and intricate weave, admiring, feeling, responding sensually to its colors [sic.] and tones." (Theodore Dreiser in a review of the book in the Athenaeum 21 August 1915)