Sphinx: With decorations by Charles Ricketts.

London: Elkin Matthews and John Lane, at the sign of the Bodley Head, 1894. RICKETTS, Charles. . The Sphinx. With decorations by Charles Ricketts. London: Elkin Matthews and John Lane, at the sign of the Bodley Head, 1894.

Full Description:

WILDE, Oscar. The Sphinx. With decorations by Charles Ricketts. London: Elkin Matthews and John Lane, at the sign of the Bodley Head, 1894.

First edition. One of 200 copies for Great Britain, printed on handmade paper. Small quarto (8 5/8 x 6 3/4 inches; 218 x 172 mm). [4, blank], [6], [27], [1, blank], [1, imprint], [5, blank] pp. Title-page printed in black, red, and green. Ten illustrations by Ricketts in the text (including title-page), of which eight are full-page, all printed in red. Initial letters (one large and twelve medium) and guide words printed in green.

Original vellum, decoratively paneled and pictorially stamped in gilt after designs by Ricketts, whose monogram appears in the lower left-hand corners. Gilt is bright and vellum generally clean. Vellum very slightly bowed, as usual. Some foxing throughout as usual. Overall about fine.

"The Sphinx is his [Rickett's] best book... The result is a perfect whole, as harmonious as it is dazzling." (Ray).

Mason 361. Ray, Illustrator and the Book, 262.

HBS 69042.

$8,500.