For the Love of the King by Oscar Wilde

Description

Near fine condition of For the Love of the King with DJ. First edition, limited edition of 1000 on handmade paper for the US and UK, added in 1922 to the original set of 14 by Methuen from 1908. The infamous fifteenth volume of The Collected Works, Methuen claimed it was a newly discovered play by Wilde, and published it in the same format as the first collected edition from 1908. Oscar Wilde’s authorship of this work is questionable. The play has been attributed to Mrs. Chan Toon (Mabel Cosgrove). This edition was the cause of a legal dispute between Wilde’s bibliographer, Christopher Millard and the publisher – during which the lady now largely accepted as the author could not be found (it was subsequently discovered, she was in prison having stolen a large sum from an elderly neighbour).

Bound in finely woven white linen cloth stamped in gold with 3 gold decorated circles on the front boards and gilt to spine. This copy has not suffered from the normal darkening of the spine and loss of gilt. Water mark on the bottom of the rear cover. Top edge gilt and others uncut. Light browning sections on the end papers. Clean contents. The dust jacket has mils chipping and a few light marks. 8vo 39pp.

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