Barry Humphries's Collection of Oscar Wilde First Editions to Auction
Christie's
The Importance of Being Earnest
Significant works by Oscar Wilde, Ronald Firbank, and Aubrey Beardsley lead Christie’s' Barry Humphries: The Personal Collection auction on February 13 which reveals the literary tastes of the Australian performer famed for his characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
Humphries who died in 2023 aged 89 put together a major personal book collection during his lifetime, particularly strong on the fin-de-siecle literature including Oscar Wilde and rarities by major poets and authors of the era including a signed autograph manuscript of Ronald Firbank's 1904 Ideas and Fancies (estimate: £20,000) and an 1894 Aubrey Beardsley signed autograph letter (estimate: £8,000).
Among the highlights of the 80 lots is a presentation copy of Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest to his first publisher (one of a dozen) with an estimate of £150,000 and a first edition in the original French of his Salomé (estimate: £60,000)inscribed to Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas.
An album (full blue morocco, gilt by Sangorski & Sutcliffe) featuring Wilde's autograph manuscripts drafts for 17 epigrams on art, morality, life and education, includes "The address of every poet is the moon ... Only the weak resist temptations ... One should live as if there was no death ... Death is the only important event in the lives of the middle classes ... The object of art is not simple truth but complex beauty ... Education is an admirable thing. But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught". The estimate is £30,000.
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Christie's
Wilde's autograph manuscripts drafts
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Christie's
Autograph letter, Aubrey Beardsley
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Christie's
Ronald Firbank autograph manuscript
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Christie's
Salomé
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Christie's
Wilde's autograph manuscripts drafts
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Christie's
Autograph letter, Aubrey Beardsley
“Barry Humphries’s collection of books and manuscripts is a rare and significant treasure trove," said Mark Wiltshire, Specialist, Books and Manuscripts at Christie’s, "reflecting a deep intellectual engagement with some of the most important works in literature’s most decadent era. From the sharp wit of Oscar Wilde to the effervescence of F. Scott Fitgerald, this collection offers invaluable insight into the cultural and artistic movements that shaped the modern world."
The full pre-sale exhibition will be open to the public February 7-12 at Christie’s London headquarters.