An Ideal Husband. By the Author of Lady Windermere’s Fan. London: Leonard Smither’s and Co., 1899. First Edition. Pp, 211, uncut & unopened. Rebound in linen boards, incorporating the original gilt design by Charles Shannon. A fine bright copy.

One Thousand Copies Printed.

‘An Ideal Husband’ opened in London on 3 January 1895 and closed on 6 April, the day after Wilde’s arrest (the theatre was actually needed for another play). It reopened at another theatre on 13 April, but was finally withdrawn two weeks later.

The play remained unpublished until after Wilde’s release from prison. It was published in July 1899 while Wilde was living in France, with a dedication to Frank Harris. 

[Mason 386].