After Reading [- After Berneval]. Letters of Oscar Wilde to Robert Ross.

2 vol., 8vo.

Publisher's bindings designed by Ethelbert White (Reading) and Randolph Schwabe (Berneval): beige half linen, decorative patterned paper on boards, gilt-titled flat spines, two-colour decorations on pastedowns and flyleaves (sl. browned at edges). Both books in nice mod. custom-made folders with decorative paper and transparant spine, together in mod. purple slipcase. Very good set.

1st editions of these letters to Robert Ross (1869-1918), Wilde's friend, lover and literary executor. 1. After Reading: ill. by E. White, and arranged by Cyril W. Beaumont, with a nice four-colour medallion ill. on title and 2 full-page pl. Edition limited to 475 copies. One of the 400 on hand-made paper (n. 284). - 2. After Berneval: ill. by R. Schwabe, and arranged by Cyril W. Beaumont, with a nice four-colour medallion view of Naples on title, a full-page pl. depicting the "Hôtel de Nice" in Paris, and with a facsimile letter of Wilde. Edition limited to 475 copies. One of the 400 on hand-made paper (n. 251). Mark of the Beaumont Press with the press at colophons. The letters addressed to Robert Ross were written in 1. Berneval (summer 1897), where they spent time after Wilde was released from prison and in 2. Naples and Paris ("After Berneval", September 1897-May 1898).
Ref. Tomkinson (Beaumont Press) 12 & 14. - Ransom (Beaumont Press) 12 & 14.
Joined: 1. Id. - De profundis. Aufzeichnungen und Briefe aus dem Zuchthaus in Reading. Berlin, Fischer, 1905. 8vo. Publ. half vellum, mod. purple paper slipcase. - 2. Id. - Oscariana. London, Humphreys, 1911. 8vo. Green dodge leather. Mod. purple cardboard box and slipcase. (4 vol.)