WILDE, OscarABAA
450 resultados
ref. 06423London: Methuen & Co. 1908. First Collected Edition Handsomely Bound by Birdsall of Northampton WILDE Oscar. Works. London: Methuen & Co. 1908-1922. The Picture of Dorian Gray with imprint: Paris: Charles Carrington 1908. First collected edition including For the Love of the King which was published in 1922. One of 1000 issued on handmade paper out of a total edition of 1080 sets. Fifteen octavo volumes 8 1/4 x 5 3/4 inches; 209 x 146 mm. Handsomely bound ca. 1950 by Birdsall of Northampton and London stamp-signed in full light blue calf covers with triple ruled borders spines with five shallow raised bands decoratively tooled in compartments two red leather labels lettered in gilt gilt decorated boards edges and turn-ins pale blue marbled endpapers top edge gilt other uncut. Spines uniformly faded one volume a little less so otherwise a very fine set including the fifteenth volume For the Love of the King which was published later in 1922. The first collected edition of the works of Wilde is still the most complete and correct. "The text is taken in most instances from the last editions issued under the superintendence of the author. In some cases the volumes contain additional matter which had not previously been reprinted while some of the volumes contain matter here published for the first time" Mason. Oscar Wilde 1854-1900 Irish-born poet dramatist and novelist. "During his undergraduate years at Oxford and as a disciple of Walter Pater Wilde became the leader of an aesthetic movement that advocated art for art's sake. He attracted a great deal of attention with his aestheticism and by wearing long hair dressing eccentrically and carrying flowers in his hands while lecturing.Wilde was accused of homosexual practices was tried and found guilty and was sentenced to imprisonment 1895-97.On his release physically spiritually and financially ruined he went to Paris.where he lived in bitterness and despair until his death. Wilde's works include Poems 1881; two collections of fairy stories The Happy Prince and Other Tales 1888 and The House of Pomegranates 1891; The Picture of Dorian Gray 1891 a novel; and many brilliantly witty plays including Lady Windermere's Fan 1892; A Woman of No Importance 1893; Salomé 1894 written originally in French and used as the basis for Richard Strauss's opera of the same title; An Ideal Husband 1895; and The Importance of Being Earnest 1895 often considered his masterpiece. His poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol 1898 and his impassioned letter to his lover Lord Alfred Douglas De Profundis published post-humously in 1905 were products of his imprisonment" Benét's Reader's Encyclopedia. Mason pp. 459-460. London: Methuen & Co., 1908 unknown books
ref. 06518London: Leonard Smithers and Co. 1899. The Trivial Comedy for Serious People - Wilde's Masterpiece" First Edition One of 1000 Numbered Copies WILDE Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. By the Author of Lady Windermere's Fan. London: Leonard Smithers and Co. 1899. First edition. One of 1000 numbered copies this being No. 256. Printed at the Chiswick Press. Small quarto 8 3/4 x 7 inches; 222 x 178 mm. 16 151 1 pp. Publisher's light red-brown linen over boards covers decoratively stamped in gilt spine decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt the design by Charles Shannon. All edges uncut. The bare minimum of rubbing to extremities free endpapers minimally browned from paste-down glue as usual; spine slightly darkened and gilt a little dulled. Still a near fine copy sound and unrestored example. The first book appearance of Wilde's most celebrated play originally performed in 1895 at the St. James's Theatre. Issued four years later by Smithers - Wilde's principal publisher during and after his fall - this edition presents the definitive text of his final and finest comedy. The Importance of Being Earnest represents the culmination of Wilde's dramatic art: a perfectly constructed satire of identity social convention and moral pretense combining epigrammatic brilliance with unmatched theatrical economy. The edition is notable for its elegant production including the Chiswick Press printing and the distinctive gilt cover design by Charles Shannon placing it among the most visually refined of Wilde's first editions. Bibliographical Reference A pleasing and well-preserved example. The slight spine darkening and mellowing of the gilt are typical; copies retaining such integrity are increasingly scarce. Mason 382. London: Leonard Smithers and Co., 1899 unknown books
ref. 41901Berlin: Guido Moriell 1991. Limited edition. Hardcover. Fine condition. Signed by the artist on each etching and colophon. A15/50. Small Folio. 55 1pp. Original hand bound blue Morocco with geometric cover design by bookbinder Guido Moriell and black-stamped lettering on spine housed in blue cloth clamshell box with gilt lettering on spine. Every binding of the deluxe edition is a unique copy. Includes the video documenting the production of this anniversary edition housed in separate compartment of clamshell box as issued. Bibliophile edition on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the bookbinder Guido Moriell Radolfzell released in two Deluxe Editions A and B of 50 copies each and a standard edition of 100. This is No. 15 of the deluxe edition A printed on handmade paper. With 10 signed and hand colored original etchings by Rudolf Stuckert printed on the hand press of the artist. Top edge blue. Blue shaded endpapers. Blue initials. Text revised by John Loram based on the translation by Wilhelm Cremer 1922. Beautiful hand press production on firm handmade paper by the Steinort paper mill. An artistic masterpiece of modern hand press printing and bookbinding. Rudolf Stuckert 1912-2002 was a German painter and gallerist. He studied at the Academies in Kassel and Düsseldorf and was a master student of Oskar Moll. Stuckert opened his first gallery in 1936 in Düsseldorf with an exhibitions of Bruno Goller. In 1949 Stuckert became a cofounder of the New Rhine Secession Neue Rheinische Sezession in Düsseldorf. He had moved to Lake Constance in 1947 where he became a cofounder of the artist group "Der kleine Kreis" and was considered one of the so-called Höri-Painters. His paintings are an interplay of figurative and abstract elements. Landscapes ballplayers and acrobats are his favorite motifs. Guido Moriell is a film enthusiast and bookbinder in Radolfzell Lake Constance. In 2008 his work as a bookbinder was featured in the prestigious exhibition "Kunst des Bucheinbandes Art of Bookbinding" at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar. Emphasis of the exhibition was the bookbinding in historic fashion showing a video of Guido Moriell at work as an example of traditional bookbinding. Guido Moriell hardcover books
1899ref. ST19154London: Leonard Smithers and Co 1899. FIRST EDITION. ONE OF 1000 COPIES. 215 x 155 mm. 8 3/8 x 6". 8 p.l. 213 1 pp. Original lavender cloth decorated with gilt flourishes smooth spine with gilt lettering edges untrimmed and ENTIRELY UNOPENED. Mason 385. ◆Spine slightly sunned as virtually always but no wear to joints or hinges and in all A REMARKABLY WELL-PRESERVED OBVIOUSLY UNREAD COPY because unopened and without the soiling this edition is almost always found with. This is an exceptionally fine copy of Wilde's second hit play successful like his other witty comedies but with at least slightly more serious social and political content. Opening at the Haymarket Theatre in 1895 and continuing for 124 performances it features as the title character a prominent politician in danger of losing his reputation because of a potentially damaging letter that the play's villain threatens to expose if the husband refuses to support the former's corrupt political agenda. The play moves its characters toward a more ideal moral standard as they struggle with dishonesty hypocrisy double standards materialism and corruption of social and political life. But none of this weighs down Wilde's witty banter as the play suggests after all that even when there is a pretense of the embrace of moral probity nobody is ever that good or is even expected to be. The work is dedicated to the Irish-American writer Frank Harris who is said to have given Wilde the idea to use insider trading which related to Disraeli's financial machinations as part of the plot here. Covering the play for the "Saturday Review" George Bernard Shaw declared Wilde 1854-1900 "our only thorough playwright. He plays with everything: with wit with philosophy with drama with actors and audience with the whole theatre." On nearly all copies of this edition the publisher's binding is now encountered in unappetizing condition; finding our unopened copy--with virtually none of the soiling almost always seen with the four Wilde plays bound in this lavender cloth--is piece of very good fortune. Leonard Smithers and Co unknown books
1926ref. 329075Paris: F.-L Schmied 1926. Limited. hardcover. near fine. Color woodcuts and decorations by Francois-Louis Schmied printed by hand. 4to full black crushed morocco spine faded to brown with gold & silver art deco design; full gray leather doublures pictorially stamped in gilt & blind with a singing bird; gray silk fly-leaves by Gonin. Paris: F.-L Schmied 1926. Limited Edition. Fine in a leather tipped marbled board slipcase. French translation by Albert Savine of Wilde's The Happy Prince and the Nightingale and the Rose. Number VII of XII copies de collaborateurs signed by the artist. F.-L Schmied unknown books
1943ref. 156715Beverly Hills CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer MGM 1943. Draft script for the 1945 film. Copy belonging to an unknown crew member with their manuscript annotations in pencil on several pages. Based on the 1890 novel by Oscar Wilde about a man whose portrait magically takes on the ability to absorb the sins of his debauched life while he remains unaged. Nominated for three Academy Awards winning one for Best Cinematography. Set in London. Goldenrod studio wrappers rubber-stamped FILE COPY and COMPLETE on the front wrapper noted as copy No. 67 and production No. 5069 dated 11-5-43 with credits for director Albert Lewin. Title page integral with the first page of the text. 168 leaves with last page of text numbered 169. Mimeograph duplication rectos only with a single pink revision page dated 3-13-44. Pages about Near Fine wrapper Good only with a tear on the bottom right portion of the front wrapper and rear wrapper split from the binding bound with two gold brads. Selby US. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [MGM] unknown books
1910ref. 320658New York: Nottingham 1910. Limited. hardcover. fine. 10 volumes. Thick 8vo finely bound in recent 3/4 dark green morocco with twin burgundy spine labels decoratively gilt spines raised bands and marbled boards top edges gilt deckled edges. New York: Nottingham Society circa 1910. Fine. Deluxe Edition Number 832 of of 1000 sets. Nottingham unknown books
1894ref. 282902London: John Lane 1894. Limited. hardcover. very good. Tall 8vo lavender cloth faded to tan with gilt designs considerably browned on the spine and edges; pages untrimmed London: John Lane 1894. Limited First Edition. Mason 365. One of only 50 copies printed simultaneously with the first trade edition. Internally fine and clean. John Lane unknown books
1898ref. 282548London: Smithers 1898. First. hardcover. very good. Slim 8vo mustard cloth backed in white with gilt lettering. London: Leonard Smithers 1898. Limited First Edition. One of 800 copies printed on hand-made paper on one side only. Inscribed on title page; "I.O. from F.A.S. Guilsborough Hall." A very good copy with some bubbling of the cloth and light soil. Irene Osgood later the wife of R.H. Sherard author of the life of Oscar Wilde was a novelist. This book was given to her by Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham Preserved in an attractive1/4 leather slipcase with an elaborately gilt spine. Smithers unknown books
1894ref. 140949078London: Elkin Mathews & John Lane 1894. First Edition. Near Fine. First edition in English of Wilde's seminal one-act tragedy and the first to feature Aubrey Beardsley's lavishly unrestrained illustrations. One of 500 copies. xii 67 1 16 ads illustrated with frontispiece 9 full page plates and singular tailpiece. Bound in publisher's blue canvas cloth decoratively stamped in gilt after design by Beardsley. Near Fine with light sunning to spine and edges light foxing to cloth. Offsetting to front endsheets and armorial bookplate to pastedown there contents lightly tanned. A beautiful copy of a definitive work of the Decadent movement. Composed initially in French Wilde allegedly intended for Sarah Bernhardt to play Salome in hopes of bypassing strict British censors although it was inevitably banned by Lord Chamberlain due to the depiction of biblical characters. The play premiered on February 11 1896 at the Theatre de l'Oeuvre in Paris starring Lina Munte and directed by Lugne-Poe. Rave reviews ensued and later adaptions followed most notably Richard Strauss' Dresden production which premiered in 1905. The radical work served as a direct affront to Victorian moral standards and cemented the femme fatale archetype for future avant-garde luminaries. Mason 350. Elkin Mathews & John Lane unknown books
1881ref. ST20886London: David Bogue 1881. FIRST EDITION First Issue. 192 x 126 mm. 7 1/2 x 5". ix 1 236 1 pp. EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE CRIMSON MOROCCO INTRICATELY GILT BY ZAEHNSDORF stamp-signed and dated 1909 on front turn-in covers framed in gilt with delicate pointillé cornerpieces surrounding inlaid green morocco drawer handles and oblique floral tools raised bands spine panels densely gilt in the pointillé style of Bozerian with stems of flowers radiating from pairs of inlaid green drawer handles turn-ins gilt-ruled red silk endleaves top edge gilt other edges untrimmed. Original slightly soiled gilt limp vellum binding bound in at rear. Mason 304. A few trivial spots internally but A VERY FINE COPY--the leaves fresh clean and wide-margined and the binding lustrous and virtually unworn. This is a finely bound copy of the first edition of Wilde's first book of poetry and his first substantial work of any kind. The collection is made up of 61 poems 31 of which appear here for the first time. Many reflect Wilde's delight in his visit to the art towns of Italy; other poems such as the tender "Resquiescat" written in memory of Wilde's sister Isola who had died at the age of eight show a more personal emotional sentiment. According to Mason "the first printing June 1881 consisted of 750 copies of which only 250 copies were used for the first edition the remaining 500 being equally divided between the second and third editions." Wilde himself oversaw the layout and design of the book choosing the handmade Dutch paper on which it is printed and the design of prunus blossoms on the vellum binding here bound in at the rear. The only published books by Wilde to appear before the present work were his student poem "Ravenna" which was named the "Newdigate Prize Poem" at Oxford for 1878 issued in wrappers and his drama "Vera; or the Nihilists" printed in 1880 of which Mason had knowledge of only two copies. Our attractive binding is a fine example of the work of the Zaehnsdorf firm long a top-ranked English bindery. Born in Pest Hungary Joseph Zaehnsdorf 1816-86 served his apprenticeship in Stuttgart worked at a number of European locations as a journeyman and then settled in London where he was hired first by Westley and then by Mackenzie before opening his own workshop in 1842. His son and namesake took over the business at age 33 when the senior Joseph died and the firm flourished under the son's leadership becoming a leading West End bindery. Over the years Zaehnsdorf employed a considerable number of distinguished binders including the Frenchman Louis Genth who was chief finisher from 1859-84 and trained a number of others including Roger de Coverly and Sarah Prideaux. A family-run business until 1947 the Zaehnsdorf bindery continued to produce consistently attractive and innovative designs executed with unfailing skill. David Bogue unknown books
1968ref. 305092London: Petersburg Press 1968. Edition C with six loose lithographs signed duplicates of those bound in the book and four signed etchings this copy 100 of 100 lacking two of the prints. Illustrated by Jim Dine. 2 vols. Folio 18.1 x 13 inches. Snakeskin print leather binding near fine on text volume and portfolio volume matching box and heart cover with some fading otherwise near fine. Dine Jim. Edition C with six loose lithographs signed duplicates of those bound in the book and four signed etchings this copy 100 of 100 lacking two of the prints. Illustrated by Jim Dine. 2 vols. Folio 18.1 x 13 inches. Three editions of this work were published with an extra suite of prints: A Edition of 200 plus 25 artists' proofs bound in red velvet with the title in silver with six signed lithographs duplicates of the plates in the text signed by Dine B Edition of 200 plus 25 artists' proofs bound in green velvet with the title in silver with four etchings signed by Dine C Edition of 100 plus 15 artists' proofs in a snakeskin-patterned leather binding stamped in black with a matching box with "heart built up on the cover" also signed by Dine containing all of the prints of the two other editions 10 total signed by Dine. THIS COPY LACKING TWO PRINTS: "Sybil in her Dressing Room" and "Basil in Black Leather Suit" Jim Dine worked on a stage version of Wilde's novel with English director Robert Kidd for the Bath Academie of Art at Corsham moving the setting to London during the 1967 Summer of Love. The play was never finished as the scheduled lead actor James Fox objected to Dine's "obscene" costumes derailing the whole production. Petersburg Press stepped in and offered to print Dine's drafts for the adapation. Mikro 47 Petersburg Press unknown books
1894ref. OW056London: John Lane at the Sign of The Bodley Head 1894 First edition limited large paper copy with "Of this edition 50 copies have been printed" statement on the verso of the fourth preliminary page and no publisher's catalogue at the back of the book. Publisher's yellow buckram boards with gilt decorations by Charles Shannon to covers and spine spine lettered in gilt. Near fine with some toning to spine and board edges light wear to spine ends with a very shallow chip to cloth at foot of spine bottom right corner of front board worn to boards and heavy offsetting to endpapers. Overall a beautiful copy of one of Wilde's four celebrated drawing-room plays. Mason 365. A Woman of No Importance is a four-act play that was first produced in London at the Haymarket Theatre on April 19 1893. Like many of Wilde's plays it satirizes the English upper-class and criticizes Victorian society. The title "a woman of no importance" refers to the character Mrs. Arbuthnot who bears the illegitimate son of Lord Illingworth. Although societal conventions deem her a sinful woman Wilde proves Arbuthnot a respectable widow who is rewarded with a son who treats women respectfully. In contrast Illingworth one of Wilde's archetypal dandy figures is rejected by his son and many of the women in the play making him a "man of no importance." A Woman of No Importance was published simultaneously in two formats: small octavo the standard edition of 500 copies and quarto the "Large Paper" issue of 50 copies. While both constitute the first edition of A Woman of No Importance the large paper copies are decidedly rarer than the octavos; intended to be more exclusive and deluxe publications large paper formats were typically produced using higher quality materials lacked the publisher's advertisements and were printed in small print runs. Because they were intended as collectibles from publication large paper copies of Wilde's plays are exceedingly scarce. First Edition Limited Large Paper Copy. Hard Cover. Near Fine. London: John Lane at the Sign of The Bodley Head hardcover books
1899ref. 140949181London: Leonard Smithers and Co 1899. First Edition. Near Fine. First edition first printing. One of 1000 copies unnumbered. xvi 152 pp. printed on laid paper. Bound in publisher's lavender cloth with gilt spine lettering and decorations by Charles Shannon. Near Fine with sunning to spine and extremities and fading to spine gilt light soiling and scattered foxing to cloth light rubbing to extremities and slight bumping to lower corners. Binding starting at p. 105 offsetting to front endsheet bookplate to front pastedown. A very nice copy from the library of the American naval officer and book collector Charles John Muto. Mason 381. The first edition of the most delightful play in the English language. Wilde's last play opened on Valentine's Day 1895 to almost unanimous praise. Two weeks later he received a card at his club accusing him of sodomy to which he responded with an ill-judged libel lawsuit that led to his downfall and imprisonment. By the time this book was published by Leonard Smithers one of his few remaining friends Wilde was dying in Paris his health broken by Reading Gaol. There are now statues to him in London and Dublin. Leonard Smithers and Co unknown books
1894ref. 256986London: John Lane at the Sign of the Bodley Head in Vigo Street 1894. First edition one of 50 Large Paper copies. 154 1 pp. Printed by T. and A. Constable Edinburgh. 1 vols. 4to. Original buckram gilt. Spine and extremities darkened endleaves with some paste darkening else fine in a custom purple half-morocco slipcase and chemise. First edition one of 50 Large Paper copies. 154 1 pp. Printed by T. and A. Constable Edinburgh. 1 vols. 4to. An attractive large paper copy. Wilde's witty and urbane satire of the English upper class. This was written and produced in 1893 near the height of Wilde's career between Salome 1891 and his masterpiece The Importance of Being Ernest 1895. Mason 365. Provenance: Arthur Chester Rhodes John Lane at the Sign of the Bodley Head in Vigo Street unknown books
1907ref. 67715London: A. R. Keller & Co 1907. The Writings of Oscar Wilde. Illustrated. London: A. R. Keller & Co. 1907. Edition de Luxe of the Uniform Edition. One of 200 numbered copies of which this is number 14. Complete in fifteen octavo volumes. Measures 7 1/4 x 5 in. Illustrated in black and white with plates in two states each with a descriptive tissue guard. Title and limitation pages on Japanese vellum printed in black and red with additional engraved title pages in each volume. Finely bound in modern full green levant morocco. Spines tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments with a red morocco gilt floral inlay four raised bands all edges gilt marbled endpapers. A fine set. This very early edition precedes the 1908 Ross edition of Wilde's works often described as the first collected edition. HBS 67715. $11500. A. R. Keller & Co unknown books
1894ref. 329742London: Elkin Mathews & John Lane 1894. Limited. hardcover. fine. Ricketts Charles. Title page design and nine illustrations eight full page by Charles Ricketts. Printed throughout in black red & green all edges untrimmed. Thin small 4to full vellum with pictorial decorations in gilt to the spine & covers by Ricketts. 2 bookplates. London: Elkin Matthews & John Lane 1894. Limited edition. One of 200 unnumbered copies. An exceptionally fine copy unfoxed and with a clean binding Elkin Mathews & John Lane unknown books
1893ref. 6451London: Elkin Mathews and John Lane 1893. First edition. One of 50 large-paper copies on hand-made paper. A Fine copy. Quarto 8 5/8 x 6 5/8 inches; 220 x 169 mm. i blank i limitation iii-xvi 132 pp. Handsomely bound by Zaehnsdorf ca. 1897 stamp-signed in gilt on front turn-in and with their exhibition stamp in black on rear paste-down. Full dark green crushed levant morocco covers bordered in gilt enclosing a six-line gilt border. Spine with five raised bands decoratively framed and lettered in gilt in compartments gilt-ruled board edges multi gilt-lined turn-ins top edge gilt others uncut. With the bookplates of the renowned collector C. S. Ascherson dated 1897 and Paul Louis Weiller also a famous book collector and a great friend of J. Paul Getty on front paste-down. Housed in a felt-lined dark green cloth clamshell case spine with leather label lettered in gilt. A couple of tiny and unobtrusive minor stains on blank borders otherwise a clean copy in a wonderful and early if somewhat austere binding by the great firm of Zaehnsdorf. Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan A Play About a Good Woman was his "first successful dramatic production" and one of his many masterpieces Mendelssohn. His talent for astute adaptations of traditional comedic tropes like the long-lost child or mistaken motivations are utilized to full effect in this narrative. The four-act comedy was infamously first performed on 20 February 1892. In addition to pulling on popular stars to perform Wilde had the young men of his entourage arrive at the premier wearing green carnations in their buttonholes-something that scandalized attendees when in a metatheatrical moment one of the characters onstage appeared with one as well referencing its cost and symbolism for decadent immorality. Prim attendees were in fact surrounded by a generation of young men devoted to such aesthetic ideals and wearing the same flower. Mason 358. Elkin Mathews and John Lane unknown books
1982ref. ST16482Bayreuth: Printed by Chr. Scheufele Offizin Stuttgart for Bear Press 1982. No. 1 OF 10 COPIES ON VELLUM plus a "special" edition of 25 copies and 185 copies on Kochi Japanese paper. 223 x 148 mm. 8 7/8 x 5 3/4". 50 pp. 2 leaves.Translated and with an afterword by Wolfram Benda. Publisher's fine burgundy morocco by Erwin Lehr upper cover with gilt rose in recessed square flat spine with gilt titling turn-ins with gilt fillet frame pale yellow silk pastedowns. In the original burgundy suede slipcase. With three large initials in burnished gold and four signed and numbered original etchings by Peter Klitsch. Printed in red and black. Signed in the colophon by the artist the binder and the publisher/translator. In mint condition. This is the splendid deluxe version of a finely crafted private press edition of Wilde's fairy tales "The Nightingale and the Rose" "The Happy Prince" and "The Selfish Giant." It is the third work issued by the Bear Press founded in 1979 by literary scholar Wolfram Benda and still in operation. According to the firm's website "at a time when the craftsmanship and ethos of the artisan in bookmaking have been damaged by ever-increasing industrialization and neglect . . . The Bear Press . . . tries to achieve the highest possible degree of technical and artistic perfection in its printed works." The font used to print the text and the artist chosen to illustrate each work are carefully selected to express "the individual author's personality and intention." Even the discriminating aesthete Wilde 1854-1900 would be pleased with the choices here especially for the luxurious vellum printing: the type is set in refined Walbaum Antiqua and shown off with special effect by the creamy leaves; the etchings by Austrian artist Peter Klitsch b. 1934 are meticulous detailed and reminiscent of the work of Wilde's friend Aubrey Beardsley; and the binding is the epitome of tasteful restraint flawlessly executed with premium materials. The three tales here first appeared in 1888 and are bittersweet in their themes of love and self-sacrifice. His stories for children were one of Wilde's early successes and DNB notes "Their permanent place in child affections refutes the vulgarism that Wilde's literary reputation arose from his legal notoriety. In all cases the fairy tales are on the child's side celebrating the courage and generosity of the poor and vulnerable while their satire mocks the kind of pomposity and hypocrisy children can recognize." We have been able to trace just two other copies of the vellum printing at auction in ABPC and RBH. [Printed by Chr. Scheufele Offizin, Stuttgart, for] Bear Press unknown books
1893ref. ST20128Paris and London: Librairie de l'Art Indépendant; Elkin Mathews et John Lane 1893. FIRST EDITION. ONE OF 600 COPIES 500 of which were for sale. 243 x 150 mm. 8 x 5 5/8". 84 pp. 1 leaf. Pleasing red very coarse-grained morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe stamp-signed in gilt on rear turn-in covers with gilt coat of arms surrounded by a gilt oval raised bands gilt lettering gilt-ruled turn-ins top edge gilt others untrimmed. With the original purple wrappers bound in. Housed in a deluxe suede-lined modern red morocco case by Antonio Perez-Noriega covers with elaborate twining wood onlays. A PRESENTATION COPY FROM WILDE TO ADOLPHE RETTÉ WITH WILDE'S INSCRIPTION AND SIGNATURE ON THE FRONT FLYLEAF. Mason 348. See also: Mikhail "Oscar Wilde: Interviews and Recollections" pp. 190-91. Spine faintly sunned covers with a few small bumps and dents perhaps original with the skin or intentionally made by the binder one or two negligible finger smudges but a fine clean copy with just insignificant imperfections. This is a very special presentation copy of Wilde's most controversial play inscribed to one of three writers the author invited to edit the original French script. In the Gospel of Luke Herodias the haughty wife of Antipas tetrarch of Galilee is so incensed by the preaching of John the Baptist against her sins that she determines to be revenged. She persuades her daughter Salomé to ask Antipas the girl's stepfather for John's head as the reward for her seductive dancing. Wilde's fertile imagination converts this story into a tale of juvenile infatuation scorned and turned into demented hate. Written and first published in French "Salomé" was to have been staged in London with Sarah Bernhardt in the title role but this was prevented by the Lord Chamberlain the theater censor. Thus the play was first performed in 1896 in Paris with Bernhardt in the title role but without Wilde in attendance since he was confined at the time in Reading Gaol. It was not performed in London until 1905 in a private performance and the censor's ban was not lifted until 1932. Adolphe Retté 1863-1930 was a French poet essayist and literary figure who initially was celebrated for his decadent and symbolist poetry but later experienced a profound spiritual awakening that led him to renounce his earlier works and embrace Catholicism. He was one of three French-speaking poets along with Stuart Merrill and Pierre Louÿs Wilde solicited to look over the original script and correct any overt anglicisms. Retté who had met Wilde in Paris wrote about his involvement with "Salomé" in his memoir where he describes his admiration for the work: "Not only were Wilde's ideas subtle and delightful but he knew how to enhance them seeming to caress each word with his irresistible way of speaking." Retté marveled at Wilde's "talent as a conversationalist or rather as a monopolizer of the conversation and the wonderful way he would set forth the philosophy of 'hedonism.'" Wilde presentation copies are not exceptionally rare in general but we could find few such copies of this important first edition and none any more important as this one. Librairie de l'Art Indépendant; Elkin Mathews et John Lane unknown books
1898ref. 259158London 1898. First edition ONE OF 30 COPIES on Japanese vellum. 1 vols. 8vo. Cinnamon-colored cloth vellum spine. Covers show slight insect damage and minor soiling spine a bit soiled otherwise a very good copy in a quarter blue morocco slipcase with chemise and with the bookplate and signature of actress LENA ASHWELL 1872-1957 on the front pastedown. First edition ONE OF 30 COPIES on Japanese vellum. 1 vols. 8vo. First edition of Wilde's legendary poem written while he was imprisoned in its rarest state - being one of only 30 copies printed on Japanese vellum. This copy comes from the distinguished library of the actress Lena Ashwell 1872-1957 who as a young actress toured in Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan in 1891 later becoming actor-manager of the Savoy Theatre. Ashwell was particularly troubled by the news of Wilde's arrest and wrote later: ". the atmosphere of London was horrible and cruel. His plays were so very brilliant and I had seen this when I was in Lady Windermere's so I felt that he was a friend and in desperate trouble." Later during WWI she is known to have pioneered the organization of entertainments on a large scale for the British troops in France Leask Margaret Lena Ashwell: Actress Patriot Pioneer 2012. An excellent association copy of an essential Wilde rarity. Mason 372 unknown books
1898ref. 140948944London: Leonard Smithers 1898. Signed Limited Issue. Near Fine. Third edition limited issue #69 of 99 copies signed by Oscar Wilde in black ink on the limitation page. 31 pp. printed on rectos only. Bound in publisher's purple cloth over and white spine cloth stamped in gilt; gilt floral ornament to front board after the famed British artist Charles Ricketts. Housed in a custom quarter morocco slipcase. Near Fine with slight lean to binding light soilingto boards. Bookplate of business man Chauncey Lawrence Williams at front pastedown along with an inscription from the former owner and giftee below dated March 8 1934. Williams was publishing partner of W. Irving Way of Way and Williams who published L. Frank Baum's first literary venture Mother Goose in Prose 1897 Additionally he commissioned a 28-year-old Frank Lloyd Wright to build his home in River Forest Illinois. Williams' funeral service program is laid-in at front offsetting from previously laid-in papers at front endsheets with remnants of former auction record at front free endpaper. Wilde's poignant poem a reflective narrative calling for prison reform and critique of Victorian-era justice systems. Written in exile and printed anonymously under his identification number "C. 3. 3." issued to him at Reading prison during his two year imprisonment for gross indecency with his lover Lord Alfred Douglas.The scarcest and most desirable edition of the author's widely lauded and instantly successful protest poem which serves as a deeply personal lament and a powerful testament to his time in prison. Mason 374. Leonard Smithers unknown books
1891ref. 260London: Ward Lock & Co 1891. First Edition. First printing without Bowden's name added to the title page imprint the Preface with Wilde's name at the end in larger bolder type and with "nd" for "and" beginning the eighth line from the bottom on page 208. The error was corrected for the second printing which included the 250 signed copies of the limited edition-copies that in addition to being the second issue are literally the second printing. This trade edition is not only earlier than the limited but when it has its dust jacket many times rarer. Original white vellum parchment-backed boards former owner's neat name to endpaper spine slightly faded from light not dust else near fine in the rare dust jacket with small tears and chips to the spine tips and corners neatly repaired a bit short an irregularity with nineteenth-century hand-trimmed jackets but a charismatic jacket still-integral clean and one to be owned with pride. An unequivocal Victorian classic as great a short novel as has ever been written and copies in dustjacket must have been dumped in the Bermuda Triangle because they never show up at auction or in the trade. Full morocco case. Wilde was from that atypical minority of great men those who do not remind us of anyone else. He wrote the best comedies since Shakespeare mastered paradox and was the reigning wit of the 1890s but he became a victim when society forgot that the mouse should never be a juror at the cat's trial. Dorian Gray was his only novel and why not When you write one like this one is sufficient. It's undeniably a modern Gothic and a self-evident Victorian classic unique in the delicacy of its grim and melancholy metaphor and it continues to maintain it's appeal even in our 21st century. Ward Lock & Co unknown books
1891ref. 69675London: Ward Lock and Co 1891. Full Description: WILDE Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. London: Ward Lock and Co. 1891. First edition in book form this being the Edition de Luxe limited to 250 copies numbered by hand and signed by Oscar Wilde this being number 52. Royal octavo 8 1/2 x 7 inches; 215 x 180 mm. vii 1 334 pp. Printed on Dutch hand-made paper watermarked Van Gelder. Publisher's quarter parchment over rough grey bevelled boards possibly rebacked retaining the original spine. Front cover with gilt lettering atop a pattern of fifty-five gilt butterflies designed by Charles Ricketts spine lettered in gilt at base top edge gilt rest uncut. Newer endpapers. Previous owner's penciled poem in German to half-title. Some dust-soiling to deckle edges. Some rubbing to bevelled edges. A small slit at the bottom of the front hinge. Overall a very good copy in the publisher's binding. The Picture of Dorian Gray is Oscar Wilde's first novel and was first published in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine July 1890. Six new chapters are added to this first appearance in book form with many other additions and variations. On its first appearance this book was violently attacked by the critics and its publication did Wilde a great deal of harm. Mason 329. HBS 69675. $55000. Ward Lock and Co unknown books
1899ref. 140940300London: Leonard Smithers and Co 1899. Signed Limited First Edition. Near Fine. Signed limited first edition. xii 152 pp. Bound in publisher's original pale lavender cloth with gilt spine lettering and decorations by Charles Shannon. Copy number 82 of 100 large paper copies signed by Oscar Wilde with a flourish. Near Fine with subtle sunning several barely discernible spots to cloth short bubble to rear cloth. Typical offsetting to endpapers and a 5" tear to the rear endpaper. Contents bright and fresh. A beautiful copy. Wilde's masterpiece which opened to wide acclaim at the St. James's Theatre London on February 14 1895. It was withdrawn after 86 performances following his arrest and imprisonment on charges of gross indecency as a consequence of his failed libel suit against Lord Queensbury the father of Wilde's homosexual lover Lord Alfred Douglas. He was outed as gay a disgrace in Victorian society and the play was not published in any form until the present edition following his release from prison. It has been hailed as an exemplary farce called by poet W.H. Auden "a pure verbal opera. Leonard Smithers and Co unknown books
