Poems. by WILDE, Oscar - 1881

London: David Bogue,, 1881. Octavo (182 x 122 mm). Contemporary vellum, twin brown morocco labels to spine, covers panelled in gilt, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Housed in a dark brown leather entry slipcase by the Chelsea Bindery. Bookseller's ticket to front turn-in, contemporary bookplate to front pastedown, old catalogue description loosely inserted. Vellum lightly soiled, boards a little bowed, yet still a lovely copy. First edition, first issue. One of only 250 copies for the first issue; 750 copies were printed in total, but the remaining 500 copies were equally split between the second and third issues, with new title pages stating second and third editions. Publisher's presentation copy, with the title page stamped "with the publisher's compliments". Wilde paid for the publication of the book, with David Brogue reciprocally only receiving a small share of the profits. Wilde took a great interest in the book's design, specifying a white japon binding (here rebound in vellum) and Dutch handmade paper, following the examples of Morris, Rossetti, and Swinburne in attention to the aesthetics and quality of their books (Ellman, pp. 131-2). The edition includes a misprint on page 136, "that mightier may whose care it is", which should read "that mightier maid whose care it is", an error that was repeated in future editions and not corrected until 1908. This is the copy of the pioneering American aviator and book collector Cortlandt Field Bishop (1870-1935), with his bookplate to the front free endpaper. Ellman, Oscar Wilde, Hamish Hamilton, 1987; Mason 304.