One of only 250 copies, numbered and signed by Charles Robinson, whose illustrations give Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales their most sumptuous Edwardian presentation.
WILDE, Oscar. The Happy Prince and Other Tales.
Duckworth & Co., London, 1913.
First Charles Robinson edition. Limited edition, numbered 200, from a total edition of 260 copies, of which 250 were offered for sale, signed by Robinson on the limitation page.
Quarto. Finely bound in dark green quarter morocco over hand-marbled boards, titles in gilt to the spine, marbled endpapers. 133 pages, with twelve mounted colour plates protected by captioned tissue guards, illustrated title page and numerous line drawings throughout.
The collection contains The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Selfish Giant, The Devoted Friend and The Remarkable Rocket. Robinson’s illustrations move between courtly splendour, shadowed gardens and wintry fantasy, complementing Wilde’s distinctive combination of beauty, wit and melancholy.
Charles Robinson belonged to the celebrated Robinson family of illustrators and became a leading figure in the Golden Age of British book illustration. This signed limited issue represents the finest form of his edition.
Originally dedicated in print “To Carlos Blacker”. Exceptionally well preserved following its handsome rebinding, with a sound structure, clean contents and all twelve colour plates present and bright.
