MAUGHAM, William Somerset.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

First Person Singular. First edition, inscribed by the author to his neighbour on the front free endpaper, "For Sybil or Sibyl, with the author's, the vermin author's love, W. Somerset Maugham." The recipient was Lady Sibyl Colefax, the famed interior decorator whose business rivalled that of the author's wife, Syrie Maugham.Syrie Maugham created her celebrated All-White Room while living at 213 King's Road, Chelsea, at a time when the Colefaxes occupied the neighbouring Argyll House. Both Maugham and Colefax sought to recruit the interior designer John Fowler to their respective firms. Fowler ultimately chose Colefax, establishing their heritage brand. The book label of Sibyl and Arthur Colefax is on the front free endpaper.

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