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I was reading about the Irish playwright and novelist, Oscar Wilde. A great
book lover, he had an excellent library which he'd been building up for around
thirty or so years. This library of his eventually ended up in his residence
in Tite Street, London - Oscar Wilde's Tite Street Library.
Mr. Wilde had an incredibly successful life, moving from strength to strength -
among his most famous works are the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and
the play The Importance of Being Earnest - until he ran afoul of the
unfair and homophobic laws of his time. Yes, Mr. Wilde was gay, and that was a
grave crime in nineteenth century England. It was enough of a crime to ruin him
financially and force the auction of his beloved library.
Oscar Wilde was no comic book collector but he did have a collection. He would
describe the dissolution of his library as the single hardest material blow
he had ever suffered. Collectors ourselves; I'm sure we can relate.
Lamenting the loss of his books he would, in particular, mention, some book
prizes he had recieved during his Oxford days; first editions of his own works;
introductory copies he had been given by every poet of his time; books presented
to him during a successful lecture tour of the United States; and most of all,
editions de luxe of select works.
Editions de luxe. DC Collectors in the comic book world also have their editions
de luxe, they're called absolute editions - hardbound, usually in slipcases. These
works were made of superior material and contained extra content - the very best
kind of comics. I have collected in this pages some such absolute editions for
your perusal and convenience. As you will see, there is an image; a brief, yet complete
description of what makes it so special and a purchase link to Amazon.
This page is dedicated to Oscar Wilde and his Tite Street Library. A great
collector and a legendary collection.
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