Fred Bason

This small (78 page) book constitutes the first bibliography of the writings of Somerset Maugham. It was published in 1931 by an itinerant young bookseller, Fred Bason, who had established an odd friendship with the author. As a bibliography, the book has been criticized due to its omissions and mistakes; and it has long been superceded by Stott’s (1973) definitive bibliography. Nevertheless, Bason’s book is of historical interest to avid collectors of Maugham material. What’s more, it contains a two page preface written specifically for the book by Maugham. This preface was reprinted (as the chapter “A Bibliography”) in John Whitehead’s collection of Maugham’s writings “A Traveler in Romance.”

Contents of the book are as follows: the preface by Somerset Maugham; a forward by Bason, a facsimile signature of W.S. Maugham (of clear utility to book collectors); a “facsimile sheet” of an upcoming book of Bason’s; a brief biography of Maugham; bibliographies of Maugham’s novels and plays; a note to collectors regarding points and characteristics of the editions; a brief bibliography of books concerning Maugham; and an index to Maugham’s “best short stories” that (usefully) gives precise information about magazines where they originally were published. (I scanned the list in hopes of finding a story that has been “lost” over the generations, but we know them all, mainly under other titles.)

In his notes to readers, Bason describes “The Merry-Go-Round” (1904) as “one of Mr. Maugham’s most famous books” (a claim modern readers will find surprising). He cautions readers of “The Magician” (1908) that “the last 50 pages should not be read late at night!” Regarding “Cakes and Ale,” he conveys Maugham’s assurances that the character “Edward Driffield” is not a portrayal of Thomas Hardy. Bason’s fawning biographical sketch of Maugham is worshipful, even sycophantic. His subject is described as deeply "courageous"; “not cynical, just truthful, with a dazzling wit”; friendly; generous; “truly a great man.” “Mr. Maugham takes a great interest in the doings and sayings of modern youth. He likes to mingle with them and to listen to their ideas. He is amused by their extravagances at times, but he never sneers at them – instead he tries to help them for he is a generous man as well as a very human man.”

Fred Bason (born 1908) turns out to be a most peculiar character. As a teen growing up in a London slum, he loved to read, and "pursued his literary heroes with vigor, hanging around outside theaters and fashionable restaurants in hopes of collecting an autograph" (Hastings, 2012). Bason himself reports that once as a teen he had secured enough money to induce a pretty girl to spend the night, but opted instead to buy "Of Human Bondage". Once having read everything written by Maugham, he wrote to the author – from which a correspondence and extended, casual friendship developed. Maugham (in his late 50s) accompanied young Bason to various venues in lower class London, apparently to collect information for a planned novel. Maugham felt that Bason was exploiting him for monetary gain and brought the friendship to an end in 1936. Details are given in the major Maugham biographies (e.g., those by Morgan, Hastings, and Calder). For an extended, fascinating essay on Bason, see “Paul Robinson’s Amazing Books” blog (https://paulrobinsonbooks.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/fred-bason-cockney-bookseller/).

Collectors may be interested to note that of the 1000 copies of this book that were published, more than 200 still exist worldwide in libraries. Used copies are uncommon but fairly inexpensive (although a copy signed by Maugham is currently selling for $400 USD). The ranking of one star reflects this book's very limited utility as a bibliography, and the fact that Maugham's brief essay is readily available elsewhere.

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Hastings, Selina (2012). The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham. Arcade Publ.
Morgan, Ted (1980). Maugham. Simon & Schuster.… (altro)