[WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)]

Lot 157
13.02.2025 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1362849
Lot 157 | [WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)]
Estimate value
£ 6 000 – 9 000
[WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)]
The Ballad of Reading Gaol by C.3.3. London: Leonard Smithers, 1898.
One of 99 copies signed by Wilde, this one numbered 9. The book was published anonymously using the name 'C.3.3.', Wilde's identification number at Reading prison. Despite the lack of advertisement and fear of negative associations with his name, word leaked out of the true identity, and the book became a resounding commercial success and one of Wilde's most identifiable works; this third edition was published within two months of the first. In his correspondence with Smithers, Wilder refers to this edition as the 'author's edition'; it is the first with an ornament by Charles Ricketts on the front cover. Mason 374; Mason, Poems, pp. 77 no. III.

Octavo (227 x 140mm). Signed by the author on A1 verso in brown ink, numbered in purple ink by Smithers (end-leaves slightly browned, light toning to deckle edges). Original publisher's white cloth over purple cloth boards, gilt ornament on front board after Charles Ricketts, spine lettered in gilt, untrimmed (spine very slightly browned); gilt purple morocco-backed folding case. Provenance: Edward Francis Barron (bookplate) — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.02.2025 – 13.02.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

More from Creator

The Happy Prince, signed with an autograph letter
The Happy Prince, signed with an autograph letter
$100
[WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)]
[WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)]
£3 000
WILDE, Oscar (1864-1900)
WILDE, Oscar (1864-1900)
£12 000
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)
£20 000
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)
£100 000
[WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)]
[WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)]
£6 000
WILDE, Oscar (1864-1900)
WILDE, Oscar (1864-1900)
£40 000
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900)
£25 000

Related terms