Lot 186
  • 186

[Wilde, Oscar]

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description

  • [Wilde, Oscar]
  • The Importance of Being Earnest. A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. London: Leonard Smiths and co., 1899
  • paper
4to (223 x 180mm.), NUMBER 12 OF 12 COPIES ON JAPANESE VELLUM SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, original vellum with lettering and motifs in gilt, edges uncut, green cloth case and slipcase, edges uncut, some slight discolouring to the vellum binding, with gilt lettering slightly faded, some possible neat repair work to binding

Literature

Mason 383

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

THE RARE EXTRA-LIMITED ISSUE OF WILDE'S MASTERPIECE, ON JAPANESE VELLUM. There was also a regular edition of 1,000 copies, and one hundred copies on Dutch handmade paper.

The first night of The Importance of Being Earnest had been on St Valentine’s Day 1895, played to great success,  and the play seemed destined to run and run. However, scandal soon engulfed Wilde, and the play was withdrawn on 8 May after 83 performances. The first American production closed after just one week.  The first edition was published by Smithers some four years after the original production, incorporating some changes Wilde had made in the preceding months. The play has been Wilde's most popular and enduring work, revived on countless occasions (perhaps most famously by John Gielgud in 1929) and has been filmed twice.