- 93
Wilde, Oscar
Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- printed book
The Importance of Being Earnest. A Trivial Comedy for Serious People by the Author of Lady Windermere's Fan. London: Leonard Smithers, 1899
4to (8 3/4 x 7 in.; 223 x 178 mm, uncut). Minimal finger-soiling to the edges of the first few leaves. Publisher's full vellum designed by Charles Shannon, spine gilt-lettered, covers and spine decorated with gilt-tooled leaflets; some soiling to spine and extremities. Half morocco clamshell case, spine gilt-lettered; some wear and fading to extremities.
4to (8 3/4 x 7 in.; 223 x 178 mm, uncut). Minimal finger-soiling to the edges of the first few leaves. Publisher's full vellum designed by Charles Shannon, spine gilt-lettered, covers and spine decorated with gilt-tooled leaflets; some soiling to spine and extremities. Half morocco clamshell case, spine gilt-lettered; some wear and fading to extremities.
Provenance
Acquired by the present owner from John Fleming, Bookseller
Literature
Mason 383
Condition
Condition as described in catalogue entry.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
First edition. Copy 5 of only 12 large-paper copies printed on japon vellum and signed by Wilde (of a whole edition of 1112). The present copy is inscribed by Wilde as a wedding present to Frances Forbes-Robertson on the verso of the half-title: "To Frankie: on her happy marriage: from her old friend and comrade, The author. June '99."
Wilde was a friend of many members of the Forbes-Robertson family: Norman (1859–1932), an actor and playwright; his brothers Johnston (1853–1937), an actor and theatrical manager; Ian (1857–1936), also an actor; and Eric, as well as Frances (1866–1956) herself. Frances married Henry Dawes Harrod on 10 April 1899. An invitation was sent to Wilde who was living in poverty as an exile in Paris.
The present volume was Wilde's wedding present to Frances and was accompanied by a poignant and important letter (no longer with this volume). The penultimate paragraph is worth quoting for what it reveals of Wilde's close relationship with Frances: "I have nothing to offer you but one of my books — that absurd comedy The importance of being Ernest [sic] — but I send it to you in the hopes it may live on your bookshelves & be allowed to look at you from time to time — The dress is pretty: it wears Japanese vellum: & belongs to a limited family of nine [sic] & is not on speaking terms with the popular edition: it refuses to recognise the poor relations whose value is only seven & six pence — such is the pride of birth. It is a lesson. Ah! how delightful it would be to be with you & your husband in your own home: miles of sea, miles of land, the purple of the mountains & the silver of the rivers divide us: you don't know how poor I am: I have no money at all: I live or am supposed to live on a few francs a day: a bare remnant saved from ship wreck, like dear St. Francis of Assisi I am wedded to poverty: but in my case the marriage is not a success: I hate the Bride that has been given to me. I see no beauty in her hunger & her rags: I have not the soul of St Francis: my thirst is for the Beauty of life: my desire for the joy. But it was dear of you to ask me — & do tell the king of men how touched & grateful I am by the invitation you & he have sent me" (Letters, New York, 1962, pp. 802–03).
A highly important presentation copy of what is arguably Wilde's most important book. This is only the seventh copy of the large-paper edition to be located. Copies 2, 3 (sold Sotheby's New York, 20 April 2012, lot 366; inscribed to Robbie Ross), 4, 10, 11, and 12 are also accounted for.
Wilde was a friend of many members of the Forbes-Robertson family: Norman (1859–1932), an actor and playwright; his brothers Johnston (1853–1937), an actor and theatrical manager; Ian (1857–1936), also an actor; and Eric, as well as Frances (1866–1956) herself. Frances married Henry Dawes Harrod on 10 April 1899. An invitation was sent to Wilde who was living in poverty as an exile in Paris.
The present volume was Wilde's wedding present to Frances and was accompanied by a poignant and important letter (no longer with this volume). The penultimate paragraph is worth quoting for what it reveals of Wilde's close relationship with Frances: "I have nothing to offer you but one of my books — that absurd comedy The importance of being Ernest [sic] — but I send it to you in the hopes it may live on your bookshelves & be allowed to look at you from time to time — The dress is pretty: it wears Japanese vellum: & belongs to a limited family of nine [sic] & is not on speaking terms with the popular edition: it refuses to recognise the poor relations whose value is only seven & six pence — such is the pride of birth. It is a lesson. Ah! how delightful it would be to be with you & your husband in your own home: miles of sea, miles of land, the purple of the mountains & the silver of the rivers divide us: you don't know how poor I am: I have no money at all: I live or am supposed to live on a few francs a day: a bare remnant saved from ship wreck, like dear St. Francis of Assisi I am wedded to poverty: but in my case the marriage is not a success: I hate the Bride that has been given to me. I see no beauty in her hunger & her rags: I have not the soul of St Francis: my thirst is for the Beauty of life: my desire for the joy. But it was dear of you to ask me — & do tell the king of men how touched & grateful I am by the invitation you & he have sent me" (Letters, New York, 1962, pp. 802–03).
A highly important presentation copy of what is arguably Wilde's most important book. This is only the seventh copy of the large-paper edition to be located. Copies 2, 3 (sold Sotheby's New York, 20 April 2012, lot 366; inscribed to Robbie Ross), 4, 10, 11, and 12 are also accounted for.