small 4to, FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 39 of 100 LARGE PAPER COPIES, dutch handmade paper watermarked "Van Gelder Zonen", original light brown-red boards, designs by Charles Shannon in gilt on spine and boards, collector's green morocco backed folding box, some offsetting to endpapers

Mason 386

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."

Although Wilde's third play opened in 1895, it was not published until four years later and after Wilde had been released from prison. The success of The Ballad of Reading Gaol persuaded him to publish his last two plays (the other being The Importance of Being Ernest). All three were published by Leonard Smithers, one of very few remaining publishers prepared to handle Wilde's work.