R. F. BURTON to LEONARD SMITHERS. 480 TWO A.L.s., from abroad, each of 4 closely-written 8vo. pages, referring to proofs of his books, etc. : "Of course the agent' is only an address. . We have been paying £200 for agency, and the fellow has not only been grossly neglectful but has taken upon himself to insult some of our best clients. . . . I will write the note directing him to let you have 500 of his best names-not professional (booksellers). . . . As regards Catullus, I am glad that you do not reject the idea for your own as well as my sake." "What an infernal hass your printer must be. I suppose he fancies he has a hold on you. By the way send copy to Mr. J. A. Symonds. . .' Two important letters referring entirely to his literary work and much of which it is impossible to quote, written in 1899. One has the original envelope. £10 481 ORIGINAL MS. of three Poems and a Play, each signed, consisting in all of 12 pages of manuscript. " A Fable in the manner of Mr. Gray' "Le Roman de la Rose The Ballad of the Barmecide"; and "Au Revoir." Also three Autograph Cards signed from him with envelopes. OSCAR WILDE. £16 16s. 482 A COLLECTION OF LETTERS written to OSCAR WILDE between the years 1871 and 1894, and a Letter written by Wilde himself to Smithers, the publisher, referring to the publication of the "Ballad of Reading Gaol'.' It would be difficult to overestimate the importance and interest of these letters. The signatures alone form a collection of the most brilliant and interesting names of the period; while very few of the letters are without some special and individual interest. Covering, as they do, the most brilliant period of Wilde's life they form an unique and valuable record fit to take a place in any collection of the work of this author. In this catalogue we cannot hope to do more than indicate, by brief quotations, the intensely interesting nature of the collection, but it definitely records Wilde's position among his contemporaries at the height of his fame. £150 (1) From W. T. STEAD introducing a lady-" It is ages and ages since I saw you, but, of course, you compel the attention even of those who occupy the court of the gentiles." I p., 4to. (2) From STEPHEN COLERIDGE, presenting The Sanctity of Confession."-" There are but two living writers in this England who observe a true reverence for their immortal language-I am one; you are the other." I p., 4to. (3) From FRANK HARRIS, asking for an article for the Fortnightly"As paradoxical as you please." I p., 8vo. (4) SIR T. WEMYSS REID, thanking for a reference. 2 pp., 8vo. (5) JAMES PAYNE, rejecting a translation for the Cornhill." I p., 8vo. (6) W. E. GLADSTONE, refusing to sign a memorial on behalf of Lady Wilde. 2 pp., 8vo. (7) CHARLES LEVER to SIR WILLIAM WILDE, accepting a cup of teaI hope I am legible." I p., 8vo. (8) EDMUND YATES, postponing publication of the poem "To Sarah Bernhardt" from June to July. The poem was published in June, however. 2 pp., 8vo. (9) EDMUND GOSSE thanking for a copy of Lady Windermere's Fan." The brilliant merit of which is only enhanced by the absence of any stage disturbance. . . . I think more highly of it than ever." I p., 8vo. (10) W. L. COURTNEY thanking for the same. 2 pp., 8vo. (11) TOM TAYLOR to LADY WILDE thanking for a present of whiskyAmbrosia... Olympian tipple." 4 pp., 8vo. (12) PROF. J. P. MAHAFFY to Os-carissimo amico," saying he called but found everyone out. CHAMBERS, thanking for the plot of a story." But article on the GrosveNING, asking Wilde to execute two small commis- sending specimen page of "Lady Windermere's 4 pp., 8vo. (17) WILFRED MEYKWOOD referring to the publication of a story and 2 pp., 8vo. include Portrait of Mr. W. H." in "Tales from (18) LADY MARTIN8VO. (19) LILLIE LANGMANN, inviting Wilde to meet Zola at lunch. Ip., myself for forgetting en How is Ellen Terry? "THARRIS, asking for permission to interview Wilde pleasure... your worLEY." You've assimiliated Flaubert, my Oscar, RNOLD, thanking for "Poems."-"... I perceive (25) LADY TREE. ight satisfy any man." 2 pp., 8vo. introduce some ineffacN ("Owen Meredith ").- to thank my brilliant (26) SIR JOHN HAR GALLIENNE admitting Wilde's inspiration of his -"My feeling is to c immediate production. D, promising support of Walter Besant and Prof. that your play was not andidature to the Savile Club. "It is the right you agreed on it would pledged myself that you will... after your youthful and you can hardly exion, come out a clear-headed, vigorous manly me so well in many res " " '... Our you for a ready made NE" thanking for a copy of Ravenna.". You 2 pp., 8vo. (31) MRS. KENDA! (32) N. FORBES RO (33) W. S. BLUNT 4 pp., 8vo. IDÉE, asking Wilde to call on and help" Modieska." CRAWFORD, asking for an appointment. I f., 8vo. 3 pp., 8vo. (72) EMMA KEATS SPEED (niece of John Keats), dated from Louisville." You gave so much pleasure by the tender reverence with which you touched the Poets' manuscript. Your own poetical genius which is consecrated to the Spirit of Beauty... have now decided to send you the sonnet...' Blue !' 'tis the life of Heaven, the domain." 3 pp., 8vo. (73) LADY LONSDALE, asking him to come and see her. (74) ALFRED MILNER, hoping to see him in Oxford. 3 PP., 8vo. (75) CONSTANCE, DUCHESS OF WESTMINSTER, sending charity subs. 3 pp., 8vo. it. (76) LORD HOUGHTON, thanking for sonnet on Keats, and criticising 2 pp., 8vo. (77) LADY STANLEY, expressing thanks for story and for poem by Sir R. R. I p., 8vo. (78) GENEVIEVE WARD, referring to lost umbrella.- If you are not rightly umbrellized, will you kindly drop me a line. ..." 2 pp., 8vo. (79) LADY DILKE asking W. to call and discuss the all important question of dress. . 2 pp., 8vo. " (80) HERMAN VEZIN, referring to cheque book, etc. 1 p., 8vo. (81) "MODIESKA," saying how unwise it would be to visit such a young man, even for tea. 3 pp., 8vo. (82) WALTER PALMER (Huntley & Palmer), sending warmest congratulations on Wilde's excellent play. 2 pp., 8vo. (83) PRINCESS CHRISTIAN, in the 3rd person, thanking for cheque. 2 pp., 8vo. (84) LADY CHURCHILL, thanking him on behalf of the Queen for a poem. (85) MAETERLINCK, thanking for the gift "de votre mysterieuse etrange et admirable Salomé." 2 pp., 8vo. " (86) PIERRE LOUYS. Mon cher ami.. Je vous remercie d'avoir pensé à moi. . . Je ne sais pas si je vous ai dit qui l'éditeur attendait votre chèque pour commencer l'impression de Salomé.' Il demande 202.50. 4 PP., 8vo. (87) HENRI DE REGNIER fixing an appointment to visit Herédia. (88) PAUL BOURGET, making various arrangements to meet Wilde. I p., 8vo. (89) PIERRE LOTI, thanking for Salomé." ... c'est beau et sombre comme un chapitre de l'apocalypse. ... Je l'admire profondement." I p., 8vo. "Mon (90) STEPHEN MALLARMÉ, on a card, thanking for " Salomé."cher Poete... les gemmes innombrables el exactes ne peuvent servir que d'accompagnement... au geste... de cette jeune princesse... (91) MARCEL SCHWOB.-" Je crois qu' Aristide Bruant vous intéresse, je le connais beaucoup. allons déjeuner chez lui ... 2 PP.. 8vo. I p., 8vo. 2 pp., 8vo. " 8vo. (92) JACQUES BLANCHE, making an appointment. 2 pp., (93) COQUELIN AINÉ, making an appointment. (94) CHRISTINE NILSSON, thanking for Poems. (95) J. CAZIN, regretting absence when W. called. (96) LAMARTINE to Lady Wilde, in her maiden name. (97) OSCAR WILDE to LEONARD SMITHERS, with envelope, dated from Posilito, Friday, 16 pp., 8vo., referring entirely to the publication of the Ballad of Reading Gaol," with a note by Smithers, draft of a letter to Miss Marbury arranging for American publication. A letter of supreme interest and importance. Commencing with instructions for various alterations to the wording of the poem, he goes on "... all these corrections show my anxiety to have as few corrections as possible in the printed proof and yet you say I know as much about business as a chrysanthemum." Follow other instructions as to format, printing, price "1200 at 3/6," etc. Then "Reggie suggests' syndicating the poem in America a large sum could be got.... Don't you think I had better give up Pinker?... I enclose an absurd document to enable you to exercise rights... absurd-because it has no stamp-and I have always believed in stamps. You said you will be publishing The Ideal Husband that is delightful of you. The MS. is in Lewis Waller's |