Details
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
Oscar Wilde
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900). The Happy Prince and Other Tales. London: David Nutt, 1888.
Presentation copy of the first edition, inscribed by the author to ‘Jonathan Sturges from his friend Oscar Wilde’. Sturges, a Princeton graduate and translator of Maupassant, published his own book of stories, The First Supper and Other Episodes, in 1893. An attractive and charming man who suffered with physical disability, he moved in the gay circles that surrounded Wilde and urged Henry James to sign a petition seeking a pardon for Wilde in late 1896. Wilde's first collection of fairy stories for children, The Happy Prince and Other Tales 'marks the beginning of Wilde's true creativity’ (Jeanette Winterson, The Guardian, 2013). Indeed, the stories are equal parts Brothers Grimm and Walter Pater, combining Wilde’s signature wit with dark explorations of loss and sacrifice. Mason 313.
Quarto (221 x 165mm). Engraved frontispiece and two plates after Walter Crane, 13 vignettes throughout text, text block uncut with several leaves unopened (very light spotting to first and last few leaves). Original paper-covered boards with pictorial design by Jacob Hood, title and imprint in red (lightly soiled, heavier to spine, extremities a little rubbed, small tear to edge of upper board, front hinge starting, spine ends bruised with small chip at foot); housed in modern red half morocco clamshell box, spine lettered in gilt. Provenance: Jonathan Sturges (1846-1911; authorial presentation inscription dated July 90).
Details
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
Oscar Wilde
WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900). The Happy Prince and Other Tales. London: David Nutt, 1888.
Presentation copy of the first edition, inscribed by the author to ‘Jonathan Sturges from his friend Oscar Wilde’. Sturges, a Princeton graduate and translator of Maupassant, published his own book of stories, The First Supper and Other Episodes, in 1893. An attractive and charming man who suffered with physical disability, he moved in the gay circles that surrounded Wilde and urged Henry James to sign a petition seeking a pardon for Wilde in late 1896. Wilde's first collection of fairy stories for children, The Happy Prince and Other Tales 'marks the beginning of Wilde's true creativity’ (Jeanette Winterson, The Guardian, 2013). Indeed, the stories are equal parts Brothers Grimm and Walter Pater, combining Wilde’s signature wit with dark explorations of loss and sacrifice. Mason 313.
Quarto (221 x 165mm). Engraved frontispiece and two plates after Walter Crane, 13 vignettes throughout text, text block uncut with several leaves unopened (very light spotting to first and last few leaves). Original paper-covered boards with pictorial design by Jacob Hood, title and imprint in red (lightly soiled, heavier to spine, extremities a little rubbed, small tear to edge of upper board, front hinge starting, spine ends bruised with small chip at foot); housed in modern red half morocco clamshell box, spine lettered in gilt. Provenance: Jonathan Sturges (1846-1911; authorial presentation inscription dated July 90).
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