MAUGHAM, W. Somerset (1874-1965). The Hour Before the Dawn. London: William Heinemann, 1942.
8vo. Original printed wrappers; folding case. Provenance: Craig V. Showalter (bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, ENGLISH ADVANCE PROOF STATE, ONE OF ONLY A FEW COPIES PRINTED IN ENGLAND. While the novel was a bestseller in the United States and later adapted into a film, Maugham did not want it published in England, as he was dissatisfied with the work, which he had written at the request of the British Ministry of Information as wartime propaganda. He successfully suppressed its publication overseas, and only a handful of proof copies are known. Stott notes: "This copy has part of pictures on the inside wrappers, suggesting that leftover sheets were used for the binding, as it was not intended to complete more than a few copies for distribution." The only proof copy Stott recorded was in the Leonard Meldman collection. No copies have appeared at auction. Stott A61c.
Selections of W. Somerset Maugham from the Collection of Craig V. Showalter
This lot is located in Chicago.
