De Profundis by Oscar Wilde - 1905

London: Methuen, 1905. First edition. Original Binding. Very Good +. Oscar Wilde De Profundis first edition book is for sale. De Profundis (Latin for “from the depths”) is a letter from Oscar Wilde to his friend “Bosie” (Lord Alfred Douglas) whilst Wilde was in Reading Gaol (jail). This book corresponds to “Oscar Wilde A Bibliography” by Stuart Mason (388 on page 442). This book was published by Methuen in London in 1905, and measures 5¼ x 8 inches (approximately). Mason advises in his book that this first edition book had a print run of just 10,000 books.

The original blue buckram binding has the title and author’s name in gilt with a decoration of a bird flying through the bars of a prison; which is surrounded by a gilt border. The spine has gilt lettering and borders to the top and bottom of the spine. The binding is in Very Good + condition with light marks to the spine, wear to the top and bottom of the spine and slight fading to the spine. But this binding is extremely attractive with the gilt to the front board being very bright.

There are 151 numbered pages, top edge gilt, with a 40-page Methuen catalogue to the end of the book dated February 1905. The pages are extremely clean and in overall Very Good + condition with a previous owner’s notes in pencil to the front pastedown confirming that this is a first edition book.

This is a very collectable and desirable Oscar Wilde first edition book.

OTHM017