LETTERS, CORRESPONDENCE AND HOLOGRAPH MATERIAL

Autographed quotation, signed.
On printed notepaper. 23, Mount Street, W
"I merely wanted to ask Ponsonby for more potatoes."
W. S. Maugham
21 Feb 1908

This quote is from Maugham's book The Bishop's Apron, page 15 line 11. Lord Spratte is talking to his brother Canon Spratte
and referring to Ponsonby the butler. Probably one of the captions to the Newnes Illustrated edition, 1908.

Autographed epigram, signed.
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, ST. JEAN - CAP FERRAT, A.M.
Reading does not make a man wise; it only makes him learned.
W. Somerset Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Sir Hugh Lane
On printed notepaper. 23 Mount Street (1909)
Friday. My Dear Lane, Harry Bishop has come back from Morocco with a new batch of pictures, & is most anxious that you
should see them. And I am choosing four & should value your opinion. Could you lunch with me tomorrow at the Garrick
at 1.30 & then go down to Chelsea.
Yours sincerely W. S. Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Sir Hugh Lane
11 Rue Volney, Paris, Oct 6. (1909)
My dear Lane, I wired to you this morning within five minutes of getting your letter to say that I should be very glad to have the
pictures of Steer's you wrote to me about. And I want to thank you for not forgetting me. From your brief description it sounds
not only very beautiful, but the sort of Steer which I particularly like. I am sure I shall be delighted to have it. Ever since I bought
the little effect of rain I have felt that I could not be entirely happy till I possessed another & more characteristic Steer. I have
found by experience that they are very delightful pictures to live with. Will you let me know whether I shall send the cheque to
you or to Steer.
I am glad you have at length found a decent studio for Gerald. He wanted one badly & he would never have decided on
anything without your strong persuasion. It is nice of you to say you liked Smith. Now, after the performance, I can only see
its faults, & I am grateful to anyone who tells me he was pleased with it.
Yours very sincerely W. S. Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Sir Hugh Lane
Casitta Teodolinda, Lago di Como. Italy. May 3. (1910)
My dear Lane. Harry Bishop is giving a one man show at the Goupil this week. Marchand is very keen on his pictures. You would
be a brick if you would send one or two possible purchasers to look at the pictures. I hope you flourish. Here it is delightful &
there is no excuse if one does not write good plays.
Yours very sincerely W. S. Maugham

Sir Hugh Lane, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, art collector and critic, died aboard the Lusitania when it was sunk by
a German torpedo in 1914. Hugh Lane gets credited by Maugham for encouraging him to start his collection of theatrical pictures,
which became the finest outside the Garrick Club, and was eventually given by Maugham to The National Theatre. "One day in
April 1911, when Maugham was reading in his new house at 6 Chesterfield Street, Mayfair, the art dealer and critic Hugh Lane
dropped by and said he had seen a theatrical picture by Samuel De Wilde in a shop in Pimlico. ÔThey're asking forty-five pounds
for it. You're a dramatist, you ought to by it.' " Morgan
Phillip Wilson Steer, (1860-1942), English painter that Maugham had come to know, possibly through Hugh Lane. Maugham
occasionally visited Steer and bought the painting of rain mentioned. He also bought the painting under discussion here,
which is a pastoral landscape, and talks about both briefly in his final book, Purely For My Pleasure, where they are reproduced.
Sir Gerald Kelly ARA, painter and eventually President of the Royal Academy. They met in France in the summer of 1904 and
became life-long friends. Kelly painted Maugham 19 times over the 60 years of their friendship including the famous portrait
in the Tate Gallery titled "The Jester." Kelly introduced Maugham to Aleister Crowley who was at Cambridge with him. Crowley
married Kelly's sister Rose. Maugham based his character Oliver Haddo in "The Magician" on Crowley.
Henry (Harry) Bishop, English artist and Maugham's friend, he illustrated the cover of the first edition of Liza of Lambeth.
He was unknown at the time but later, like Kelly became an R.A. and was known for his paintings of Morocco.
Leslie A. Marchand, writer and critic at La Revue Anglo-Americaine.
Smith was Maugham's eighth play. It opened at the Comedy Theatre on September 30th 1909.

Autographed letter, signed. To Douglas Ainslee
On printed notepaper. Grand Hotel de L'Europe. G. Jung. Salzburg,
August 6. My dear Ainslee, Your letter has only just reached me, so you must forgive my long delay in answering it. It is very good
of you to suggest that I should collaborate with you on your play, but I am afraid I should not have time to do anything that could
be of the least use to you. I am under commission to write two plays before the end of next April, & I have not yet written a word of either.
I have come to the conclusion that I hate work, but when I do bring myself to set about it I must really do what I have signed horrible
agreement for.
Thanking you for the suggestion. Yours very sincerely W.S.Maugham

Autographed notecard, signed. To Douglas Ainslee
On printed notecard with printed envelope. The Bath Club, 34, Dover Street. W.
Addressed to Douglas Ainslee Esq. 26 Mount Street. Feb 12. My dear Ainslee, It was very nice of you to write. Thank God, I am out
of the place now & delighted with my freedom. Do come up one of these days, I am mostly in at tea time.
Yours W.S.Maugham

Autographed notecard, signed. To Douglas Ainslee
On printed notecard with printed envelope. The Bath Club, 34, Dover Street. W.
Addressed to Douglas Ainslee Esq. 26 Mount Street. Tuesday. My dear Ainslee, I will come in if I possibly can tomorrow, but I am
rehearsing & mighty busy.
Yours sincerely W.S.Maugham

Grant Duff Douglas Ainslie: Born in Paris in 1865; BA, Oxford, 1886; became an English poet, critic, and diplomat; translated
works of Benedetto Croce into English; publications include Chosen poems (1928) and The conquest of pleasure (1942);
died March 27, 1948.

Autographed letter, signed. To Arnold Bennett
On printed notepaper. 6, Chesterfield Street, W.
Tuesday. My dear Bennett, My wife and I would be very glad if you & Mrs Bennett would dine with us on Tuesday 22nd at 8.
I should so much like to see you again. Yours sincerely, W. S. Maughm
Initialed and dated by BennettÐAB 16-10-19

Arnold Bennett. Writer and a friend of Maughams from his days in Paris.

Autographed letter, signed. To Sadie Leanne
On printed notepaper. 43, Bryanston Square, W.1. (1923)
My precious Sadie Leanne. Do not forget that you are dining with us on Wednesday next at 7.15 & we are taking you to see Our Betters.
And afterwards supper at Ciro's. It was a treat to see you the other day.
Your devoted admirer W.S.Maugham

"us" refers to Maugham and his wife Syrie
Our Betters opened at the Globe Theatre on September 12, 1923

Typed letter, signed. To John Rumsey
On printed notepaper. MORELOS HOTEL, CUERNAVACA, EDO. MORELOS, MEX.
October 29th, 1924
My dear Rumsey:-
I sent you a cable to-day giving you The Royal Bank of Canada, Havana, as my address. I expect to arrive there about the twelfth
of November and shall stay until at least the end of the month. I am going to try there whether I can make a better job of the dramatisation
of "The Letter" than your friend Miss Purcell.
I very much hope that Peggy O'Neil has not been engaged to play in "Rain". I am afraid that you let Basil Dean put it over you.
He thinks that any actress under his management is wonderful, and that it only requires his production to make the said actress into
another Duse. It is true that Peggy O'Neil played for a long time in one play, but it was always to a vulgar and second-rate audience.
She has never aquired a real following in London. She has lately been playing "Quality Street" in the provinces and her performance
has been described to me by all who have seen it as beneath contempt.
I hope you are keeping an eye on Gilbert Miller's proposition to bring "Our Betters" over to New York. I think with Margaret Bannerman
and Mrs. Leslie Carter, he stands every chance of getting a success. I hope in this matter you will do your best for me and for The
American Play Company. The position is somewhat embarassing since your interests and mine do not exactly coincide with Golding Bright's.
His wife's play is to follow "Our Betters" in London with Margaret Bannerman under present arrangements, and it is hardly in human
nature to expect him to make arrangements for "Our Betters" in New York which will defer the production of Mrs. Bright's play.
I happen to know that Margaret Bannerman is herself extremely anxious to come.
Yours always sincerely
W. S. Maugham

John Rumsey, Maugham's American theatrical agent and representative of the American Play Company which was later absorbed by
Samuel French. This letter was sent from Cuernavaca Mexico where Maugham spent a few days with Gerald Haxton.
Dated Oct. 29th, 1924, four days after meeting D.H.Lawrence in Mexico City, where he returned after this side trip.
Maugham disliked Mexico City and gave up the idea of setting a story there. They went on to Yucatan and then to Havana for a
month, then on to Jamaica where Maugham worked on dramatising "The Letter".
First appearance of The Letter, International Magazine, April 1924. (D46)
First appearance of The Letter in book form, Best Short Stories of 1925, Doran. (C5)
First edition of the play, Heinemann, June 1927. (A36)
First produced at The Playhouse, London, February 24, 1927 with Gladys Cooper (one of Maugham's favorite actresses) as Leslie Crosbie.
Maugham didn't like Peggy O'Neil and described her and Estelle Winwood (who appeared in Home and Beauty) as "pork and beans
and would rather eat neither of them".
Basil Dean directed "East of Suez" and "Rain".
Elenora Duse (1861-1924) was a successful Italian actress.
"Our Betters" opened Sept. 12, 1923 at the Globe, London.
Margaret Bannerman played Lady Grayston in the London production of "Our Betters." Maugham hated her in "The Grand Duchess"
and wouldn't have her in "The Letter". She had hysterics about it and left for France to have a nervous breakdown.
Golding Bright was Maugham's London dramatic agent for 28 years from 1903, married to Maugham's friend Chavalita Dunne the
novelist and playwright, she wrote under the nom du plume George Egerton.
Mrs. Leslie Carter, English actress, also appeared in "The Circle"

Miss Purcell (New York playwright?)
Gilbert Miller (New York theatre producer?)

Typed letter, signed.
On printed notepaper. 43, Bryanston Square, W.1. (1924)
Dear sir, I have pleasure in returning the photograph duly signed. Yours truly, W.S.Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Mr. Foss
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M.
Jan 3 (1930). Dear Mr. Foss, I have only just this minute returned from the Levant & found your book & your charming little note.
Thank you very much for both. I shall read the book very soon & write to you again.
Yours sincerely, W.S.Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Mr. Foss
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M.
Jan 14 (1930). Dear Mr. Foss, I like novels that are vivacious & gay & easy to read; & yours is: I hate novels that are intense & drab
& long winded; & yours isn't. Since you sent me your book & asked me what I thought of it I venture to suggest to you that you are at your best when you stick closest to the common facts of life: I think the love scene on the top of the bus quite delightful & living & true, & the father & mother admirable & true too. But then in fiction I have always preferred Shanks's pony to the wings of a dove.
Yours sincerely, W.S.Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Cedric Hardwicke
On printed notepaper. The Dorchester Hotel. London. Telephone Mayfair 8888
12 Oct: My dear Cedric, You are a friend indeed to a friend in need. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to Twelfth Night this evening.
I began this letter yesterday & then I thought I would wait till I had seen Twelfth Night to finish it. I'm glad I did, for now I can tell you
how much I admired your performance. To tell you the truth I had no notion you were such a remarkable comedian. Of course I knew
that you were a master of make up & as Sir Toby your make up is perfect, but what delighted me was to see how much humour you
got into a look, a gesture, a pause; it was perfect & when you were on the stage, no matter who else was there & what anyone else was
doing or saying, you alone held one's attention. I have seen a good many Sir Tobys in my time, but never one who made me laugh,
not out of politeness, but, as you did, from frank amusement. It was really a wonderful piece of acting.
As for the production, & the rest of the acting, it was like charades played in the Assembley Rooms at Casterbridge to raise enough
money to provide the parish church with an organ.
But, oh, what a treat you gave me!
Yours always W.S.Maugham

Sir Cedric Hardwicke. English actor of stage and screen.

Typed letter, signed. To Francis Dickie
Engraved Villa Mauresque stationery. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M. Matching envelope with Maugham's symbol engraved on flap.
Stamped and cancelled, Beaulieu, Alpes Maritimes, 7-8-33.
June 6th. '33
Dear Mr Dickie:-
You write to me from a long way off. I once spent a short time in British Columbia and thought it as pleasant a spot as I had found
anywhere in the world. I really think it is one of the places where one could easily settle down for the rest of one's life. And I know
nowhere else so grateful to the amateur gardener.
Thank you very much for your letter and for the article. Needless to say I read it with the greatest of interest. It always makes me a
little uncomfortable to read things about myself but I thought it extraordinarily sympathetic.
Yours very gratefully
W. Somerset Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Francis Dickie
On printed notepaper. 18 Half Moon St, Mayfair, W.1. Tel: Grosvenor 1391.
Oct 28. (1933)
Dear Mr. Dickie, I have nothing here, but when I get back to the south I will send you what I can find. That will not be however till
towards the end of December.
W. S. Maugham

Autographed note, signed.
"Resignation is not the right mood to accept at the age of twenty. Resignation reconciles one to failure. At twenty the possibility of
failure should never enter one's mind. To look upon it as possible is to meet it half way.
W.Somerset Maugham"
Written in the margins of a page proof from East and West, Doubleday Doran 1934, The Alien Corn page 773

Autographed letter, signed. To Sam M. Steward
Ohio State University, Department of English
Engraved Villa Mauresque stationery. Matching envelope with Maugham's symbol engraved on flap. Stamped and cancelled, St. Jean
Cap Ferrat Alpes Maritimes. 1934
Feb 14. Dear Mr. Steward, Your letter is dated December 27th & it is halfway through February before I answer it. You must forgive me.
I have been writing twenty four prefaces for a more or less complete edition of my works that Nelson Doubleday is bringing out; & they
had to be finished by a certain date. I put every thing else aside. But now I should like to tell you how very kind I thought it of you to
write to me. Your letter gave me a most unusual pleasure. Like all writers (I suppose) I suffer from a certain doubt about the value,
the real value, of my work & it is very comforting to get from a stranger a letter like yours. I know it is absurd at my age to want
reassurances, but there it is, writers are silly & childish creatures.
Yours very gratefully W. Somerset Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Mr. Shipley
On printed notepaper. BARBERRYS, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK, OYSTER BAY 150
June 17. Dear Mr. Shipley, Please forgive me for leaving your letter so long unanswered, but the war having robbed me of my secretary,
with all the work I have ?, I have got in the habit of neglecting my correspondence.
A bad one! You have no need to tell me so. No, I'm afraid I can't write the sort of article you suggest. It's a good idea, but difficult
to do & needing care & thought. I am booked up with one thing & another that I have to do, & I don't want to do anything else;
I have to rest & rest & rest.
Yours sincerely W. S. Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Mr. Shipley
On printed notepaper. Parkers Ferry, R.F.D.I, Yemasee, South Carolina
April 29 (1941) Dear Mr. Shipley
Thank you, but I am a very old party, none too well, & harassed by private & personal trouble. I am afraid I can't write such an
article as you suggest. Yours Sincerely, W. S. Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To Mr. Shipley
On printed notepaper. The Ritz Carlton Hotel, New York
May 30th (1941) Dear Mr. Shipley:-
I wish I could suggest writing something for you, but to tell you the truth I cannot think of a subject that would be of the least
interest to your readers and that I have not already discoursed upon ad nauseum.
Yours sincerely, W. S. Maugham

Mr. Shipley was probably an American magazine editor. A very thick skinned one!

Typed letter, signed. To Peter Uibalovia (Mihalovich)
On printed notepaper. Parker's, Yemassee, South Carolina. 4th February, 1946.
Dear Peter, I have to write to you in this familiar way because your surname is illegible. If you want to write and have it in you to
write no one can stop you. But I warn you that it is an exacting career and needs a terrible lot of hard work. You are still at school
and can have no great experience of life. I do not think you can hope to write anything worth while until you have. So my advice
to you is to read as much as you can, to write what you fancy without any thought of publication and when you are through with
school try to aquire as varied an experience as you can.
Yours sincerely, W.S.Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Lionel ?
VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M.
Oct 1. Dear Lionel, I am so sorry; I had no notion you were in Florence, otherwise you may be sure I should have done my best
to get in touch with you. I have not forgotten how very kind you were to me in Delhi. I am starting for London tomorrow where I
shall stay a couple of months if life is endurable, anyway for some weeks since I have a great deal to do there. What a hash
India seems to be in now the British Raj has come to an end.
Yours always W.S.Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Garson Kanin
On printed notepaper. THE DORCHESTER. LONDON. TELEPHONE MAYFAIR 8888
Wednesday. Dear Gar, In the hurry & bustle of these last days before leaving I have delayed writing to thank you for all the trouble
you took to let me know for Gerald Kelly the name of a good agent. You are the sweetest man in the world & I wonder how anyone
can put up with you. Saints are all very nice to read about, but to live up to them is quite another matter. We both enjoyed dinner
with you the Sunday before last, & look forward next to seeing you in the south.
My love to Ruth & you. Willie.
I wrote to Sam today & told him what a grand success the girl has had.

Garson Kanin. American playwright/director. Actress Ruth Gordon, Kanin's wife. Maugham's friend for many years until his death when
Kanin wrote "Remembering Mr. Maugham." On April 14, 1966, a dinner and discussion titled "Remembering Mr. Maugham" was
hosted by Dr, Aerol Arnold, Professor of English at the University of Southern California for the Friends of the Libraries. Four of
Maugham's friends, Ruth Gordon, Garson Kanin, George Cukor and Clare Booth Luce reminisced about him. Lillian Gish was one
of the Guests. In July the same year, Kanin produced a theatrical evening at the Mark Taper also titled "Remembering Mr. Maugham"
and featuring Garson Kanin, Dennis King, Diahnn Carroll, Jack Lemmon, Edward G. Robinson, Jean Simmons, Natalie Wood,
Warren Beatty and Ruth Gordon.
Sam (S.N. Behrman, playwright) a good friend of Maughams for many years, they met in 1938 at Siegfried Sassoons house in
the country. Behrman dramatised the short story "Jane."

Autographed letter, signed. To David Posner
American poet 1926-1985, Maugham's friend and lover
Engraved Villa Mauresque stationery. Matching envelope with Maugham's symbol engraved on flap. Stamped and cancelled,
St. Jean Cap Ferrat Alpes Maritimes.
Aug 1. Dear David, They only sent me six copies of my book and I have sent away all but one I want to keep for myself;
so I'm afraid I can't help you.
I am glad to think you are well & prosperous. Yours WM.

David Posner, American poet 1926-1985. Maugham's friend and lover; they met in 1943 when Maugham received a letter from
the seventeen-year-old Posner praising Of Human Bondage which he said changed his life. Maugham invited him to visit at the
Ritz-Carlton where Maugham stayed when he was in New York. Maugham paid for Posner to go to Harvard.

Autographed letter, signed. To Hamish Russell
On printed notepaper. THE DORCHESTER HOTEL. LONDON. TELEPHONE MAYFAIR 8888
Nov 5. (1949) Dear Mr. Hamish Russell, Thank you for your very kind letter.
Yours sincerely W. S. Maugham

Magazine interview by a Miss Collier
Two pages of typed questions with Maugham's handwritten responses.
Are you intrested in Art?
Yes
Do you collect any particular paintings or sculpture?
XVIII century portraits of actors in character by Zoffany, DeWilde, etc.
Do you like Music, modern or classical? (any particular Composer?)
Mozart & Wagner
Does modern Science interest you very much?
Yes
Do you read very much?
Yes. But now only what directly or indirectly concerns my work. Few modern novels.
How do you spend your leisure a) when you are in France b) in England.
a) bathing, golf, tennis & bridge b) golf, bridge, concerts, conversation (but not too much of this.)
Are you fond of animals, have you any pet dog?
A dachshund, very sweet
Do you swim or ride, or drive a car?
all three
What kind of surroundings do you like, does furniture interest you, antique or ultra modern for instance?
antique furniture, chiefly Spanish & Italian
Do you go Yachting?
No
Have you a London home?
No
Could you tell me a little more about your Cap Ferrat Villa, just what it looks like and how it is situated.
A large square house, white washed, with light from shutters, with lofty whitewashed rooms, very cool and quiet, away from the
crowd at the end of the cape & surrounded by nine acres of land, partly garden, but mostly uncultivated hill-side which in Spring is
covered with wild flowers. A swimming pool perched on the side of the hill & surrounded by white & pink Oleanders. In the house
are all the things I have collected on my journeys.

Two page typescript of notes for the above article
One correction in Maugham's hand.

Autographed letter, signed. To Miss Collier
On printed notepaper. Ormonde House, St. James's Street, S.W.1
21 Sept. Dear Miss Collier, Thank you for sending me your article. I liked it. I thought you wove in what I had told you very neatly
with your own impressions.
Yours sincerely
W. S. Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Mr. Athersych
On printed notepaper. THE DORCHESTER. LONDON. TELEPHONE MAYFAIR 8888
7th November, 1952. Dear Mr. Athersych, Thank you for your very nice letter and for sending the drawing of myself. So far as I can
judge it is a very good likeness, and I am pleased with it. Yours sincerely, W. S. Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To Mr. Gunnell. Matted and framed with a photograph of Maugham in the 1930's.
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, ST. JEAN ¥ CAP FERRAT, A.M.
22nd March, 1957. Dear Mr. Gunnell, Thank you for your letter of March 18th. I asked my solicitor here to read the letter that you
kindly sent me. He told me that there was nothing really to be done. Though there is not double taxation on income in France and
England, no such arrangement has been made about the inheritence tax; and unless my domicile is established in England,
I shall be called upon to pay inheritance tax not only in England, but in France as well.
Yours sincerely, W. S. Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To John Miller
On printed notepaper. The Dorchester, Park Lane, London. Mayfair 8888
10th November 1957. Dear John Miller, Thank you for your charming letter. Here is the autograph you asked for.
Yours sincerely, W. Somerset Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To Peter Shikes
On printed notepaper. Gritti Palace-Hotel, Venezia. Envelope, stamped and cancelled, Venezia 1-5-1958.
1st May, 1958.
Dear Peter Shikes, Thank you for your nice letter. Here is the autograph you ask for.
Yours sincerely, W.Somerset Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To Mrs. McLaren
On printed notepaper. THE DORCHESTER. LONDON, W1, MAYFAIR 8888
12th May, 1959, Dear Mrs. McLaren, Thank you for your letter. What a clever girl you are to have sold "For Services Rendered"
I am very much pleased. Yours sincerely, W. S. Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To James R. Parish. Matted and framed with an early photograph of Maugham.
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, ST. JEAN CAP FERRAT, A.M. envelope, stamped and cancelled, St. Jean Cap Ferrat,
Alpes Mmes, 19-1-1962
18th January, 1962.
Dear James Parish, Thank you for your charming letter and good wishes. It was extremely kind of you to write to me; I was touched
and much pleased. yours sincerely, W.S.Maugham

Autographed letter, signed. To Frau von Schirach
On printed notepaper. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Munchen. Envelope, stamped and cancelled, Munchen 23.5.57
22 May. Dear Fraulein Henriette von Schirach. Thank you very kindly for sending me your book. I am leaving Munich tomorrow for
Bad Gastein and look forward to reading it with interest & pleasure during my stay there. Yours sincerely W. Somerset Maugham.

Typed letter, signed. To Jean Jour
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M.
2nd April, 1964. Dear Jean Jour, Thank you for sending me Les Matin Livres. It was extremely kind of you to think of me; I was
touched and much pleased.
I am leaving for Venice in a few days, I shal take your poems with me and look forward to reading them with very great pleasure.
Yours sincerely, W. S. Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To Paul North
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M. Airmail envelope, stamped and cancelled, St. Jean Cap Ferrat,
Alpes Mmes, 20-5-1963
18th May, 1963.
Dear Mr. North, Thank you for your charming letter. Of course I shall be glad to inscribe your books for you.
yours sincerely, W.S.Maugham

Typed letter, signed. To Paul North
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M. Airmail envelope, stamped and cancelled, St. Jean Cap Ferrat,
Alpes Mmes, 25-6-1963.
24th June, 1963.
Dear Mr. North, I have signed all the books you sent me, and am returning them under separate cover. Thank you so much
for the two copies you have given me - I hadn't got either of them - it was most kind and generous of you.
Yours sincerely, W.S.Maugham

Paul North
Book dealer and Maugham collector in Baltimore. He was in the habit of removing half-titles and sending them to Maugham to
sign (presumably to save on postage), then pasting them back in the book.


Four letters signed by Alan Searle

Typed letter to Paul North
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M. Airmail envelope, stamped and cancelled, St. Jean Cap Ferrat,
Alpes Mmes, 24-7-1963
23rd July, 1963.
Dear Mr. North, Mr. Maugham has asked me to thank you for your letter, and to say that he will sign a few more books.
Please don't send TOO many because Mr. Maugham is a very old man - in his ninetieth year, and this kind of chore tires him very much.
Yours very truly, Alan Searle. Secretary.

Typed letter to Paul North
On printed notepaper. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten - Munchen. Airmail envelope, stamped and cancelled, MUNCHEN 1.11.63
1st November, 1963.
Dear Mr. North, I am acknowledging your letter to Mr. Maugham because Mr. Maugham is ill and unable to attend to his correspondence.
If you send any more books, please do not send too many. Mr. Maugham is now a very old man - in his ninetieth year - and in very
frail condition, and any effort exhausts him. We leave here in a few days, so send any books to the Villa Mauresque.
Yours very truly, Alan Searle. Secretary.

Typed letter to Paul North
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M. Envelope of Paul H. North, Jr., Mohawk Gallery, stamped and cancelled,
St. Jean Cap Ferrat, Alpes Mmes, 19-12-1964
18th December, 1964.
Dear Mr. North, I am replying to your letter to Mr. Maugham because he is ill and unable to attend to his correspondence. I return
the flyleaves you sent, duly autographed. I have no knowledge of a play called "Doctor Marigold". I think it must be an error.
Dr. Klaus W. Jonas of Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh 13, Pennsylvania will be able to tell you anything you want to know about
Mr. Maugham. He knows everything there is to know.
Yours very truly, Alan Searle. Secretary.

Typed letter to Paul North
On printed notepaper. VILLA MAURESQUE, CAP FERRAT, A.M. Envelope, stamped and cancelled, Nice Pl. Wilson,
Alpes Maritimes, 13-1-1966
12th January, 1966
Dear Mr. North, I am sure you will understand if this is very brief. I have received over a thousand letters since Mr. Maugham's
death and cannot do more than thank you for so kindly writing to him during his recent illness. He was always most appreciative of
such thoughtfulness.
Yours sincerely, Alan Searle.