- 144
Wilde, Oscar
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- Wilde, Oscar
- A Woman of No Importance. John Lane, 1894
- Paper
small 4to, FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED TO ARTHUR CLIFTON ("Arthur Clifton | from | his friend | the author. | Nov. 94. | Oscar Wilde") on a preliminary blank, one of 500 copies, 16pp. publisher's advertisements dated March 1894 at end, original light brown-red boards, designs by Charles Shannon in gilt on spine and boards, collector's brown chemise and morocco backed slipcase by MacDonald & Co., boards slightly soiled, head and foot of spine slightly bumped, booklabel
Literature
Mason 364
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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
Arthur Clifton (1862-1932) was a friend of Robbie Ross, and, like Ross, remained a life long friend of Wilde and also of his wife Constance. Clifton, having supported Wilde during his hearings, became his solicitor and bankruptcy trustee, continuing to help Wilde with his financial and legal affairs until his death. Wilde wrote to More Adey from prison entreating him to ask Clifton visit, which his friend duly did and in a letter to Constance after the visit expressed his shock at Wilde's deterioration in jail: "You can imagine how painful it was to meet him...he was very much upset and cried a good deal...he seemed quite broken-hearted and kept describing his punishment as savage..." (see Letters, p.665).
Clifton's name was included, alongside seventeen others identified as Wilde's most loyal friends, on the memorial wreath of laurels laid by Ross in Wilde's coffin.