Oscar Wilde Books

Oscar Wilde spent the 1880s and 90s as one of London's most quoted wits, a playwright and essayist whose epigrams were as celebrated as his plays. His plays and stories, among them The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, remain some of the most quoted works in English literature. For more classic Victorian literature, our Classic Literature collection is worth exploring too.

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Oscar Wilde Books: the wit, the fall and the name he took after prison

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

— Lord Darlington, in Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan

Wilde's plays sold out West End theatres, and his epigrams were repeated by people who had never read a word he wrote. That success collapsed almost overnight in 1895, when he was convicted and imprisoned for gross indecency, an ordeal that produced some of his most raw and reflective writing. On his release he lived out his final years in exile in France under the assumed name Sebastian Melmoth, borrowed from a Gothic novel written decades earlier by a relative on his mother's side, a fittingly literary alias for a man who never stopped writing even at his lowest point.

Our Wilde collection favours genuine antique and vintage printings over modern reprints, chosen for real age and character rather than volume.

Each book is individually photographed and described so you can see its condition before you buy, and we add new stock as genuine copies come our way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Oscar Wilde books do you have in stock?

We carry a genuine, changing selection of antique and vintage Wilde editions. New stock is added as we come across it, so it's always worth checking back.

Do you have The Picture of Dorian Gray or The Importance of Being Earnest in stock?

Not at the moment, but they're among the Wilde titles we most want to add. Our current stock focuses on his other and lesser-known writing instead.

Do you have first edition Oscar Wilde books?

Genuine first editions of Wilde's work are rare and don't come up often. When we do have one, it will be clearly dated and described in the listing.

What makes an Oscar Wilde book collectable?

Early printings, first editions and fine original bindings all add to a book's appeal, and Wilde's own dramatic life story only adds to the interest for collectors. Condition matters too, particularly for anything with the fragile paper and bindings typical of the period.

Can you tell me how much my Oscar Wilde book is worth?

We're not able to offer formal valuations, but we're always happy to take a look and share our thoughts if you're curious about a book you own.

How do you describe the condition of these books?

We photograph each book closely so you can see its binding, pages and any wear before you buy. Condition varies from copy to copy, and anything worth knowing is noted clearly in the listing.

Would an Oscar Wilde book make a good gift?

Yes, a genuine antique or vintage edition of Wilde's work makes a distinctive and thoughtful gift for anyone who loves witty, elegant Victorian writing. If you're gift shopping more broadly, our for-the-passionate-hobbyist collection is worth a browse too.

Do you ship Oscar Wilde books internationally?

We ship to customers around the world, and orders over £50 within the UK ship free.

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