WILDE, Oscar.
Stock Code 110494
London, Leonard Smithers, 1898
The poem was composed following Wilde's release from the titular prison and published under the pseudonym 'C.3.3.' after his cell (the third cell on the third landing of Gallery C). Wilde had been incarcerated in Reading after being convicted of gross indecency in 1895 and sentenced to two years' hard labour in prison. The first edition sold out within a week, resulting in a second edition being published soon after, yet it was not commonly known, until the 7th printing in June 1899, that C.3.3. was actually Wilde.
First edition, one of 800 copies on handmade paper, from a total edition of 830; 8vo; publisher's quarter white linen over mustard yellow sides, titles to spine gilt, all edges uncut, endpapers somewhat browned, with a neat incision to the front free endpaper beneath an early, tipped in catalogue description, spine a little tanned as often; very good indeed.
Mason 371.
Couldn't load pickup availability
About us
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 94 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.




