- 150
Wilde, Oscar
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Wilde, Oscar
- The Importance of Being Earnest. A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. Leonard Smithers and Co, 1899
- Paper
4to, FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 40 OF 100 LARGE PAPER COPIES, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, half-title, paper watermarked "Van Gelder Zonen", original lavender cloth, small designs by Charles Shannon in gilt, spine lettered in in gilt, collector's brown chemise and morocco backed slipcase, very slightly bumped at head and foot of spine and upper right corner of upper board
Literature
Mason 382
Catalogue Note
A FINE COPY. Wilde's play was first performed in 1895 but not published until four years later, on the account of the scandal which engulfed the writer within months of the opening night. By the time of Wilde's release from prison, Leonard Smithers was one of the only publishers who could be convinced to publish Wilde's work. The play was issued in a standard edition of 1,000 copies, as well as this large paper edition and twelve copies on vellum, most of which the author presented to his friends.