Ashenden or The British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham first edition 1928

MAUGHAM, W. Somerset. Ashenden: or The British Agent.
 
London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1928.
 
First edition, first impression. 8vo, pp. 304. Original blue cloth lettered in gilt, in the original pictorial dustwrapper priced 7/6 to spine. A little foxing to text block, otherwise very good in cloth. Wrapper about very good overall: spine toned, some loss at head of spine, short tears and creasing, with wear at spine ends and flap folds, but unrestored and presenting well. No previous ownership inscriptions. 
 
First edition of Maugham’s linked Ashenden stories, among the foundational modern espionage books, drawing on his wartime intelligence experience. A Queen's Quorum title. The bold geometric wrapper is one of the most memorable jackets of the period and is seldom found in genuinely presentable unrestored condition.