Lot 1457
Wilde, Oscar (1845-1900). Irish-born poet, playwright and celebrity. Wilde's witty social dramas, An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest remain his best-known works, although the piercing Picture of Dorian Gray and Ballad of Reading Gaol deserve equal attention. Wilde's flamboyant personality and then-illegal sexual identity clashed with Victorian ideas of morality -- ideas he skewered so accurately in Earnest and Ideal Husband-- and he found himself imprisoned for two years, after which he moved to France and died at age 46.
Signed Photograph ("Oscar Wilde"). Sepia toned cabinet card, n.p, "May (?) '82". Photograph by Sarony of New York, image marked with a small "19" in plate. One 5½" diagonal crease runs from the top edge of the card through Wilde's portrait down to the middle right edge; very minor foxing; dampstaining at bottom edge of card is faintly visible recto, mostly noticeable verso; lightly penciled ID verso. The crease has not affected the overall appearance of the photo -- there is no surface loss or cracking. Very good condition.
Taken during Wilde's highly successful 1882 American tour, his soulful gaze is captured in this highly desirable Sarony portrait. It was during the 1882 tour that Wilde met Walt Whitman, spending the afternoon with the great American poet, drinking wine and, presumably, discussing their shared craft.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
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| Realized $2,645 |
