The Ballad Of Reading Gaol de C.3.3. [Oscar Wilde] - 1898

This is the fifth printing of "The Ballad of Reading Gaol," published anonymously under the pseudonym C.3.3., which stood for cell block C, landing 3, cell 3 being the location of Wilde's cell in Reading Gaol. This ensured that notorious Wilde's name did not appear on the poem's title page, and thus it was not commonly known that it was Wilde behind the poem until the 7th printing in June 1899, which was published using Wilde's name. The poem was published by Leonard Smith, who is deeply associated with the decadents, having published the Savoy periodical in which Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley featured. Fair Condition. Cream cloth covered spine with green cloth covered boards and gilt titles to spine. Amorial plate to front pastedown and neat previous owner's inscription to reverse of copyright page. Front free end paper has been removed. Rough-cut edges. Binding and hinges are firm. Pages are lightly tanned. Boards have moderate edge-wear with notable markings and stains to boards with a notable dark stain to front and rear board. Small split to spine head, approx 1.5 inches.