Wilde, Oscar - The Picture of Dorian Gray

A very recently re-bound copy of 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. Published by Charles Carrington of Paris in 1908. The book contains engravings by Eugene Dete from drawings by Paul Thiriat. This is the first illustrated edition of this book.

312 pages with 7 full page wood engravings protected by printed tissue guards.

This book has been hand bound by Lyra's Books. It was completed in January 2020.

The book has been half bound (spine and corners) with vellum, and the sides of the book are covered in a light grey book cloth. This is to match, as closely as possible, the original binding which was a white buckram spine and corners with blue/grey paper sides. A gilt decoration has been added and stamped to the middle of the front board in gold. The title and author's name have been stamped in gold on the spine.

Marbled paper for the endpapers was supplied by master marbler Jemma Lewis (UK). The top edge of the book has been very lightly trimmed and hand gilded with genuine gold leaf. There is a white endband to the top edge of the book only - the bottom edge and foredge have been left untrimmed as was originally intended.

There is a 3mm thick 'foredge sleeve' for the book. This has been covered in the same grey bookcloth and lined with suede. This is to be kept on the book when not being read. Vellum can be an extemely strong material which can sometimes (over time) pull on the book boards causing them to warp a little. The foredge sleeve simply allows the boards to be kept firmly shut when the book is not in use.

The book and sleeve fit neatly into a suede lined solander box which has, again, been covered in the same light grey book cloth. On the spine of the box the title and author's name have been stamped in gold.

Internally the book is in excellent condition. There is some very minor spotting in a few places, most noticeably along the page edges.

At the beginning of the book there is a publishers disclaimer glued in which reads - "First illustrated edition of 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray'. This illustrated edition was intended to be issued in 1908, the date given on the title-page; but after the text had been printed, the Artist unfortunately fell ill, and this is the reason why the book has not appeared before the present year, 1910. The Publisher"

Publisher: Charles Carrington of Paris, 1908.

Condition: Fine