Wilde, OscarABAA
461 résultats
1894réf. 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
1907réf. 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
1894réf. 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
1893réf. 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
1982réf. 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
1893réf. 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
1898réf. 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
1898réf. 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
1891réf. 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
1891réf. 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
1899réf. 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
