[Wilde, Oscar]

4to, FIRST EDITION, one of 1,000 copies, original light brown-red linen boards, designs in gilt by Charles Ricketts on covers and spine, preserved in quarter red cloth case and matching quarter red morocco slipcase, slight offsetting to endpapers

Mason 385

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."

AN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE COPY OF WILDE'S HIGHLY PRAISED PLAY, AND SCARCE THUS.

An Ideal Husband was first produced by Lewis Waller and H.H. Morell at the Haymarket Theatre in London on 3 January 1895. Described by Wilde himself as containing "a great deal of the real Oscar", the play was an immediate success, inspiring Shaw to comment: "In a certain sense Mr Wilde is to me our only thorough playwright. He plays with everything: with wit, with philosophy, with drama, with actors and audience, with the whole theatre" (Shaw's review in the Saturday Review, 12 January 1895). The play was withdrawn on 6 April, the day after Wilde's arrest. The first edition was printed four years later, and consisted of twelve numbered presentation copies on Japanese vellum, 100 numbered copies on Dutch handmade paper and this issue of 1,000 on ordinary paper.