An Ideal Husband. A Play. By Oscar Wilde. Authorized Edition. London: The Edinburgh Society Clements Inn, 1911. Limited Edition. Pp 239, uncut. Full crushed morocco boards, elaborately decorated in an Arabic style in gilt; raised bands to spine with compartments decorated and lettered in gilt, inner dentelles. Light scuffing to spine, otherwise a fine bright copy. Frontispiece plate of Magdalen College, Oxford, with titled tissue-guard.

Limited Numbered Edition of 480 Copies.

A lovely copy of Wilde’s play published in July 1899 while Wilde was living in France. Inspired by a story heard by his friend Frank Harris while in Egypt and subsequently told to Wilde, who dedicated the published play to him, the action revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honour.

The published version differs slightly from the performed play. Wilde added many passages and cut others. Prominent additions included written stage directions and character descriptions.

Cut signature of Herbert Beerbohm Tree loosely inserted. Manager of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, where the play premiered on January 3rd, 1895, Beerbohm was noted for his adventurous programming and lavish productions. A versatile and skilled actor, he was grandfather of the actor Oliver Reed.