- 119
Wilde, Oscar
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Wilde, Oscar
- Poems. David Bogue, 1881
- paper
8vo, FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, LIMITED TO 250 COPIES ON DUTCH HAND-MADE PAPER, original white parchment gilt, large floral panel of prunus blossoms at corners of covers (measuring 63 x 56mm.) and the length of the spine, top edge gilt, preserved in specially made maroon cloth case and quarter morocco slipcase, offsetting to endpapers, slight wear and spotting to covers
Provenance
Natalie Knowlton Blair (1887-1951), with her elegant "Blairhame" morocco book-label
Literature
Mason 304; Ellmann pp.131-141
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."
"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
A NEAR FINE COPY. Of the sixty-one poems chosen by Wilde, thirty had been previously published in magazines. In April 1881 Wilde wrote to David Bogue about publication. The subsequent contract made Wilde responsible for all publication costs and in return he was to receive nearly all the profits. Wilde, who throughout his life retained a strong interest in the format, layout and binding of his books, chose the paper and the binding and requested it to be issued as a limited edition. 750 copies were printed in total and issued in three separate phases, allowing Wilde, somewhat craftily, to refer to them as the first, second and third editions. This first issue, June 1881, has a smaller prunus blossom design than those issued in July and September.