Wilde, Oscar

8vo (195 x 133mm.), FIRST BOOK EDITION, final blank leaf, advertisements at the end, original rough grey bevelled boards gilt, with butterfly designs by Charles Ricketts, white parchment spine, lettered and decorated in gilt, misprint on p.208 as called for (eight lines from bottom), DUST-JACKET with matching Ricketts design, preserved in brown cloth chemise and quarter brown morocco slipcase, jacket slightly chipped on spine and edges

Mason 328

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."

A FINE COPY IN THE RARE DUST-JACKET OF WILDE'S LONGEST PROSE NARRATIVE, which created a huge storm of publicity when first published and which changed the face not only of Victorian literature, but also the course of the author's own life: a copy was lent by Lionel Johnson to his young cousin Lord Alfred Douglas, who begged to be taken to meet the author. Wilde saw his own fictional creation come to life. The story had first appeared, in a different form, in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in July 1890. This first book edition contains a further six chapters, and there were also numerous amendments with some passages removed. All references to the painter Whistler, for example, were removed for fear of libel, and the age of Dorian and his date of birth were altered, being perceived as too close to Wilde's own at the start of his relationship with Robert Ross.