The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham Value Guide

The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham is a landmark of 20th-century literature, following a pilot's spiritual quest after World War I. This 1944 Blakiston Company edition is a significant early reprint released the same year as the true first, capturing the era's unique publishing history.

What affects the value of The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham?

• Presence and condition of the original dust jacket significantly impact the $25-$30 price range.
• Overall structural integrity, including the absence of foxing or brittle pages caused by wartime paper quality.
• The presence of any previous owner inscriptions or library stamps which can decrease collector value.
• Fading or wear to the cloth spine and gilt lettering.

How to Identify The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham?

• Check the title page or spine for 'The Blakiston Company' imprint rather than Doubleday.
• Look for the 'Book Production War Committee' seal or statement indicating compliance with wartime paper restrictions.
• Verify the 1944 publication date on the copyright page to ensure it is a first-year printing.
• Confirm the binding is cloth-bound board, typical of mid-century American hardcovers.

History of The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham

Published in 1944, The Razor's Edge tells the story of Larry Darrell, an American pilot traumatized by WWI who seeks spiritual enlightenment. While Doubleday published the true first edition, the Blakiston Company produced this early reprint during the same year, often identified by the wartime 'Book Production War Committee' standards. It remains one of Maugham's most celebrated and influential works.