Wilde, Oscar

8vo, FIRST EDITION, ONE OF 600 COPIES, device by Félicien Rops on the title-page, original purple wrappers bound in, three quarter maroon morocco gilt, top edge gilt, marbled boards, marbled endpapers, collector's matching quarter cloth case with purple paper covered boards, very slight sunning to original wrappers

Mason 348

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."

THE FIRST EDITION OF "SALOMÉ", ONE OF THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF THE FIN DE SIÈCLE PERIOD.

Wilde's powerful and shocking play was rehearsed during June 1892 for production at the Palace Theatre in London with Sarah Bernhardt in the title role. The Lord Chamberlain refused a licence, however, owing to representation of Biblical characters on the public stage. It was therefore decided to move the premiere to Paris. This edition of 600 copies was published on 22 February 1893, with the purple binding chosen deliberately. In a letter to Campbell Dodgson, Wilde stated "Bosie is very gilt-haired and I have bound Salomé in purple to suit him." (Complete Letters, pp.555-56). He also presented a copy to Bernard Shaw, noting "Salomé presents herself to you in purple raiment..." (Complete Letters, p.554).

"...while vulgar subjects may be put on the stage and acted, while everything that is mean and low and shameful in life can be portrayed by actors, no actor is to be permitted to present under artistic conditions the great and ennobling subjects taken from the Bible. The insult in the suppression of Salomé is an insult to the stage as a form of art and not to me... If the Censor refuses Salomé, I shall leave England and settle in France... I will not consent to call myself a citizen of a country that shows such narrowness in its artistic judgment. I am not English. I am Irish - which is quite another thing." (Oscar Wilde)