THE MAKING OF A SAINT.
Illustrated by Gilbert James. Boston: L.C. Page and Company, 1898. 8 pp undated ads. Original grey cloth pictorially decorated in green, white, dark grey and gilt. First Edition, second issue, later binding state -- of Maugham's second book (preceded only by LIZA OF LAMBETH, published the preceding year). L.C. Page's THE MAKING OF A SAINT consisted of only 2000 copies, and was issued about a month before Unwin's London edition. It is odd that Maugham chose to follow up such a promising first book with this "romance of Mediæval Italy, the scene being laid in the 15th Century..." [per the ads]; he later openly dismissed it as the worst he ever wrote.
There are two issues, identifiable on page 5 of the ads: in the first "(In press)" does appear in this book's description, whereas in the second issue -- as here -- that notation is removed. There are three binding states, differing only in the color of the spine lettering: (i) has the lettering all in gilt (very scarce, probably just 26 copies for presentation); (ii) has the title in gold but the rest in black; and (iii) -- as here -- has all lettering in black. Stott says "it is not possible to give priority to any of the three states," but notes that publishers usually reduced (not increased) gilt as copies were issued. (The first issue is usually associated with the first two binding states, and the second issue with the third binding state.)
This is a fine, bright copy, without wear or soil but with very faint sunning of the spine. Stott A2. Provenance: discreet bookplate of the major Maugham collector Craig V. Showalter. Item #15916
Price: $325.00