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400
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MAUGHAM, WILLIAM SOMERSET. Small archive of 12 letters, each Signed,
with initials or “W.S. Maugham,” to Maurice Zerner (“Dear Mutzi” or “Dear Muzzi”): 7
Autograph Letters * 5 Typed Letters. Mostly personal: sending thanks for gifts, or holiday
greetings, one mentioning the war. Together 13 pages, mostly 8vo; generally good condi-
tion. Few with the original envelope.
Vp, 1941-61
[2,000/3,000]
29 December 1942: “. . . The war looks as though it were going much better now and I think
there is at least a fifty fifty chance that in so far as Germany is concerned it may be over before
next winter. . . . Having lost my own house I know that . . . it is a comfort to find oneself
among one’s own belongings. . . .”
6 April 1945: “. . . I am afraid there is small chance of your friend Pierre Hamp getting a job
on an American paper. . . . [I]n America they are only interested in youth . . . .”
[2 April 1941]: “. . . It is very sweet of you & I shall enjoy the cake. No, of course Gerald is
not offended . . . .”
13 March 1947: “. . . It was a great pleasure for me to get back to my house though it had
been badly damaged, and a lot of things I valued had been stolen, but after six months I have
got things pretty well in order again . . . .”
WITH
—
Typed Letter Signed, “Gerald” [possibly Maugham’s lover, Gerald Haxton], to “My
dear Muzzi,” thanking him for a Christmas gift and adding that “if I am virtuous I shall get
away for a good rest with Willie for Easter . . . .”Washington, 28 December 1943.
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MAUGHAM, WILLIAM SOMERSET. Group of 3 books, each Signed and
Inscribed on front free endpaper. Trade editions. Each 8vo, publisher’s cloth, worn; faint
toning affecting signature pages; one with markedly worn dustjacket. Vp, vd
[400/600]
The Razor’s Edge.
“For Matzi / from his old friend / W. Somerset Maugham / & in
memory of F.G.H. / Christmas 1944.” Garden City, 1944 *
The Razor’s Edge,
another
copy. “For / Egon & Rita Merdinger / W.SomersetMaugham / their father’s old friend. /
Christmas. 1944.” Garden City, 1944 *
Ah King.
“For / Maurice Zerner / his old friend
the author / W.SomersetMaugham.” Garden City, 1935.
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