Lot 85
  • 85

Wilde, Oscar.

bidding is closed

Description

  • Ravenna. Recited in The Theatre, Oxford, June 26, 1878. Oxford: Thos. Shrimpton, 1878
8vo, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by wilde "E. B. Benson with best wishes from the author" on upper cover; from the collection of the dedicatee, original grey-green printed wrappers, housed in a custom-made slipcase, black morocco lettering-piece, light spotting, base of spine frayed, one tiny chip to wrappers

Provenance

Eugene Benson, authorial dedication; Julia Constance Fletcher, "George Fleming"; Harrison Rhodes;  his sister Margaret Rhodes; sale of the Rhodes family property at The Abbey, Daytona Beach, Florida, 2002. 

Wilde met Fletcher in Rome in the summer of 1877 and, although it is a matter for speculation as to whether there was a romance between the pair, both were inspired in their literary endeavours. wilde dedicated ravenna to fletcher, as Fleming, and she produced a thinly-veiled portrait of Wilde in her 1877 novel, Mirage. The character is Claude Devenant, a young Oxford aesthete, poet and phil-Hellenist, described as a "pale, large-featured individual... he wore his hair rather long, thrown back and clustered about his neck like the hair of a medieval saint".

Literature

Mason 301

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

the dedicatee's copy of "ravenna".

Oscar Wilde, during his Mediterranean jaunt with the Reverend John Mahaffy in 1877, stopped by chance in Ravenna. His poem on the ancient city was entered for the Newdigate Prize of 1878, whose set subject that year, by sheer coincidence, happened to be "Ravenna". The results of the prize were announced on June 10 with Wilde emerging victorious. Wilde publicly recited  his poem at Magdalen College on June 26. Shrimpton printed the first 25 copies on 24 June and a remaining 143 between then and 12 February 1879.