The Importance of Being Earnest by Wilde, Oscar - 1910

London: Methuen & Co., 1910 Preface by Robert Ross. One of 1200 copies, presented by Mr. George Alexander as a souvenir of his twentieth year of management of the St. James's Theatre, February 1st, 1910. Publisher's green cloth stamped in gilt, with presentation message to upper cover, top edge gilt. Very good with just a few scuffs to cloth, cloth bright and unfaded. This copy has a postcard laid in, advertising a production of The Importance of Being Earnest which features Mr. George Alexander himself, the manager of the St. James's Theatre who commissioned this edition to be published. It also features actors Allan Aynesworth, Stella Patrick Campbell, and Rosalie Toller, and advertises the showings (every evening, plus two matinees), and includes glowing reviews from the Evening Standard, The World, and Daily Telegraph. A unique copy memorializing an acclaimed production of Oscar Wilde's "last and greatest play". Mason 509. Widely considered Wilde's masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest is a three act play that was first performed in London at the St. James's Theatre on February 14, 1895, under the direction of Mr. George Alexander. A satire on Victorian social obligations, the play features two protagonists, John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, both of whom use alternate identities to lead separate lives in the country and the city. Although the first performance was decidedly successful, The Importance of Being Earnest was closed after only 86 shows due to the negative publicity surrounding Wilde's controversial lawsuit with The Marquess of Queensberry. Wilde moved to Paris after his reputation was tarnished and ceased writing dramas, making The Importance of Being Earnest his final play.. Hard Cover. Very Good.