London: David Bogue, 1882. Fourth edition. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author: "With compliments of the author, to Mrs Russell Stephenson. Montreal. May. 21st." A Very Good+ copy. Octavo. Full white parchment lettered and with floral decoration in gilt. Printed on Van Gelder handmade paper. Top edge gilt, others unopened. A bit of dustiness to the vellum and slight bumping to the spine ends. With the bookplate of publisher Martin Secker to upper pastedown. Housed in a custom half green morocco, green cloth box.

During his North American tour, Oscar Wilde visited Montreal, where he delivered a lecture on May 16. Four days later, he received an invitation from the Women’s Hospital Committee to present a lecture titled "The House Beautiful." Many of the audience, predominately women, dressed in costume and offered Wilde an enthusiastic welcome. This particular copy was inscribed the following day for Mrs. Russell Stephenson, a Montreal socialite.

Mason 307. Very Good (Item #7929)