Wilde, Oscar.

small 4to, first English edition, limited to 500 copies printed for England, frontispiece, pictorial title-page and list of illustrations, 9 illustrations, tailpiece and cover design by Aubrey Beardsley, 16pp. publisher's catalogue dated January 1894 at end, original blue cloth gilt with designs on upper and lower cover, minor wear to covers

Mason 350

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."

Ellmann notes that "...it was perhaps under Wilde's influence that Beardsley's style became more satirical and sinister. He would say later than he had created Beardsley, and perhaps he had." (Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, p.290). Writing to Mrs Patrick Campbell in March 1894 Wilde described Beardsley as "a very brilliant and wonderful artist... He has just illustrated my play of Salomé for me... His drawings are quite wonderful" (Complete Letters, p.587). Three of Beardsley's original drawings for the edition were withdrawn by the publisher, owing to their scandalous nature.