LORD ARTHUR SAVILE'S CRIME & Other Stories
- 1891
1891. Ricketts, Charles. London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., 1891. Original salmon paper-covered flexible boards decorated in dark red.
First Edition of this collection of four dark, semi-comic mystery tales. "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime" is an amusing but macabre tale (if there can be such a thing) about a young man who, convinced by Lady Windermere's cheiromantist that he is doomed to commit murder, does his best to do so prior to getting married -- out of a sense of duty to his fiancée. As one would expect, Lord Arthur bungles his mission... In addition to the title story, this book includes "The Sphinx Without a Secret," "The Canterville Ghost" and "The Model Millionaire." The binding of this title, with decorations by Charles Ricketts, is extremely delicate -- paper-covered flexible boards; although 1500 copies were issued, we find this book to be quite uncommon, and we have never seen a truly fine copy. (In our experience, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, THE HOUSE OF POMEGRANATES and this title are the three Wilde first editions most difficuilt to find in collectible condition.) This copy is close to near-fine, with a bit of the darkening and mottling of the spine that is typical for this fragile book, but with scarcely any actual wear. Mason 345. Housed in a handsome gilt-paneled morocco-backed slipcase with inner chemise.
First Edition of this collection of four dark, semi-comic mystery tales. "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime" is an amusing but macabre tale (if there can be such a thing) about a young man who, convinced by Lady Windermere's cheiromantist that he is doomed to commit murder, does his best to do so prior to getting married -- out of a sense of duty to his fiancée. As one would expect, Lord Arthur bungles his mission... In addition to the title story, this book includes "The Sphinx Without a Secret," "The Canterville Ghost" and "The Model Millionaire." The binding of this title, with decorations by Charles Ricketts, is extremely delicate -- paper-covered flexible boards; although 1500 copies were issued, we find this book to be quite uncommon, and we have never seen a truly fine copy. (In our experience, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, THE HOUSE OF POMEGRANATES and this title are the three Wilde first editions most difficuilt to find in collectible condition.) This copy is close to near-fine, with a bit of the darkening and mottling of the spine that is typical for this fragile book, but with scarcely any actual wear. Mason 345. Housed in a handsome gilt-paneled morocco-backed slipcase with inner chemise.
Details
Title
LORD ARTHUR SAVILE'S CRIME & Other Stories
Author
Wilde, Oscar
Condition
Unknown
Date
1891