The Ballad of Reading Gaol, as written by Oscar Wilde and done into a Book by the Roycrofters, at their Shop, which is in East Aurora, Erie County, State of New York.

WILDE, Oscar.

Item Number: 139359

New York: Roycrofters/Elbert Hubbard, 1905.

Signed limited edition of this work written by Wilde shortly after his release from prison, first published in London by Smithers in 1898. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and elegant botanical gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, ribbon bound in. One of one hundred numbered copies printed on Japanese vellum and signed by the publisher, this is number 18. In near fine condition.

Inspired by his prison experience and comprised in part by a plea for penal reform, The Ballad of Reading Gaol was the last work Wilde completed before his death in 1900. “In his comedies the miscreants were always pardoned, but in the Ballad, while ultimately forgiven, they are treated vindictively by their fellows, who are equally guilty… There is no doubt that Wilde had once again touched a great subject and left his fingerprints on it… once read, it is never forgotten” (Ellmann, 532-34).