Wilde Oscar

1888 · Best.-Nr. 190846 — London: David Nutt 1888. If you want a red rose. you must build it out of music by moonlight and stain it with your own heart's-blood First edition of Wilde's first and best-known collection of children's stories including "The Selfish Giant" "The Nightingale and the Rose" "The Devoted Friend" and "The Remarkable Rocket". Wilde's "reputation as an author dated from the publication of the Happy Prince and Other Tales in London in May 1888. The Athenaeum compared him to Hans Christian Andersen and Pater wrote to say that 'The Selfish Giant' was 'perfect in its kind' and the whole book written in 'pure English' - a wonderful compliment" Ellmann p. 282. Small quarto. Frontispiece with tissue guard and 2 plates by Walter Crane 12 head- and tailpieces by Jacomb Hood. Original cream paper-covered boards spine lettered in black front cover lettered in red with vignette design in black and publisher's device in red. Housed in a custom black cloth slipcase. Ownership signature dated 3 June 1888 of Minnie Davenport daughter of Staffordshire silk manufacturer Henry Davenport and her pen-and-ink "bookplate" in the style of Walter Crane signed "W.L.S. invent." to front free endpaper; bookplate of Jeremy Mason. Spine toned boards rubbed and marked spot of wear to outer edge of front board: a very good copy. Mason 313 "1000 copies". Richard Ellmann Oscar Wilde 1987. hardcover