Books

Signed limited edition, number 62 of 260 copies signed by the illustrator. This was the only signed limited edition of Charles Robinson's work. Wilde's collection of children's stories, first published in 1888, comprises "The Happy Prince", "The Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Devoted Friend", and "The Remarkable Rocket". Wilde's "reputation as an author dated from the publication of The Happy Prince and Other Tales in London in May 1888. The Athenaeum compared him to Hans Christian Andersen, and Pater wrote to say that 'The Selfish Giant' was 'perfect in its kind,' and the whole book written in 'pure English' - a wonderful compliment" (Ellmann). Robinson's style perfectly fits Wilde's tone: "very decorative, flowing and imaginative scenes were surrounded by elaborate borders and in the faces and forms of his children he recaptured something of the innocence of childhood... his colouring and fantasy are often highly original" (Houfe). Quarto (286 x 225 mm). Finely bound in green morocco by Zaehnsdorf for booksellers E. Joseph, signed on front turn-in, spine and front cover decorated and lettered in gilt, illustrated endpapers, gilt dentelles, top edge gilt. Colour frontispiece and 11 colour plates, with captioned tissue guards, black and white illustrations in the text, by Robinson. Some minor browning to free endpapers, minor creasing to a few tissue guards: a near-fine copy. Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, 1987, p. 282; Simon Houfe, The Dictionary of 19th Century British Book Illustrators and Caricaturists, 1998, p. 280.

The Happy Prince and Other Tales is a collection of five stories that teach profound life lessons through fantasy narrative. Oscar Wilde uses poignant and whimsical storytelling to touch on themes of selflessness, compassion, and love.