Oscar Wilde - De Profundis - First Edition, Third Impression - 1905

An early and highly desirable printing of Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis, published by Methuen & Co., London, in March 1905. The work first appeared in book form in February 1905, and, owing to its immediate success, Methuen produced several printings within the first weeks of publication. Although the title page of this copy reads “Third Edition,” this reflects the publisher’s contemporary practice of numbering successive impressions as editions. Bibliographically, the volume is therefore regarded as the third impression of the first edition, with no substantive textual changes from the original February 1905 issue. Edited by Robert Ross, it represents one of the earliest obtainable appearances of Wilde’s celebrated prison letter in book form.

Bound in the original publisher’s blue cloth with gilt lettering to the spine, this copy is bibliographically complete, retaining the half-title, Robert Ross’s preface, the complete 151-page text, the printer’s imprint, and the original 40-page publisher’s catalogue dated March 1905, an important feature often absent from surviving copies.

Condition: Very good. The original publisher’s binding remains sound and entirely unrestored, with expected rubbing and wear to the spine and extremities consistent with age. The text block is complete and secure, with intact hinges, moderate age toning and occasional light foxing. The interior is notably clean, retaining generous untrimmed page edges and presenting far better than the exterior suggests. The complete March 1905 publisher’s catalogue remains present at the rear, making this an attractive, honest and highly collectible early twentieth-century copy of one of Oscar Wilde’s most important literary works.