Wilde, Oscar

small 4to, FIRST EDITION, ONE OF 1,000 COPIES, pictorial title page, four plates by C.H. Shannon, head-pieces, tail-pieces and illustrations by Charles Ricketts throughout, original green linen backed cream boards stamped in pale red and gilt with designs by Ricketts, including a peacock, fountain and a basket of pomegranates, spine titled in gilt with a few small pomegranate designs, decorated endpapers, collector's green morocco backed folding box, hinges expertly repaired, small ink ownership signature dated 1909, boards darkened and very slightly rubbed, lower board with two small bubbles

Mason 347

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."

INCLUDING SHANNON'S FOUR "DELICATE AND LOVELY" ILLUSTRATIONS AND RICKETTS' "COMPLETELY BEAUTIFUL" DESIGNS.

Although Wilde remained effusive about the decoration of his book (and defended it from public criticism), the printing of Shannon's four plates had been difficult. As a result of some fault in the printing process, a dusty deposit appeared on each plate, which was only noticed after the book was bound. Unfortunately the solution - wiping each plate with a flannel - removed the surface of the print and left the images rather faint, and in some cases, almost invisible.