Description

[004723] Wilde, Oscar. The Ballad of Reading Gaol. ill. Wragg, Arthur. London: Castle Press, 1948. First Edition. 8vo. Hardback. Signed by Illustrator. Good+ / Good. [4], 7-63pp, [1]. Original cloth in DJ

DJ slightly chipped to spine ends and corners, small tear to joint between upper panel and flap, but largely complete. Internally a former owner’s gift inscription to ffep, otherwise quite bright and clean

Signed by Wragg to title page

With illustrated endpapers (reproduced in Brook’s Arthur Wragg, pages 144-145), a vignette and fifteen full page illustrations, as well as several illustrations to the text

Wragg’s “stark black and white drawings perfectly suited the grim walls and the dazzling light of dawn behind the unlit prison blocks. Wragg visited the gaol regularly before he began work on the illustrations and was on good terms with the Governor. This close acquaintanceship with the prison undoubtedly added to the authenticity of his feel for the atmosphere there during an execution” (Brook, Arthur Wragg, page 142)