Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Wilde, Oscar.. De Profundis.. Methuen and Co, London, 1905.
Price: US$45.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Copyright page states 1905 with no later printings. There are no publisher's ads at end. Binding is vertically ribbed dark greenish grey-brown cloth, stamped in gilt at spine, with no publisher's logo. 151pp. Text stock and endpapers toned. Presumably a later, probably "cheap"--issue. Q11633
Seller: Compass Rose Books, ABAA-ILAB, Kensington, CA, U.S.A.
Oscar Wilde. DE PROFUNDIS. Methuen And Co., 1905.
Price: US$47.49 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Not a reprint. Covers show light edge wear, slight bumping. Previous owner's name and nameplate on end paper, pages show foxing.; 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Ships same or next business day!
Seller: Redux Books, Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.
WILDE, Oscar.. De Profundis.. Methuen and Co. [i.e., G.P. Putnam's], London [i.e. New York], 1905.
Price: US$60.00 + shipping
Description: xiii, 154 pp. 12mo, publisher's gilt-lettered blue cloth. 4th US printing. 1909 ink ownership signature; 1/4" spot to cloth; slight use to cloth; tight and sound.
Seller: Jeffrey H. Marks, Rare Books, ABAA, Rochester, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$64.67 + shipping
Condition: Fair
Description: Pp. ix, 151 + 40pp. catalogue. Original blue buckram. Title gilt on cover and spine. Covers worn with stains as are the prelims and the pages toward the back. Stated second edition on title page. De Profundis ("from the depths") is a letter written by Oscar Wilde during his imprisonment in Reading Gaol, to "Bosie" (Lord Alfred Douglas).Two interesting well executed oval ink drawings of Oscar and his lover Bosie Douglas are loosely inserted. The one of Oscar is signed MITCHELL '05 and the one of Boise is also signed. Interesting and well executed drawings,
Seller: Dublin Bookbrowsers, Dublin, NONE, Ireland
WILDE, Oscar. De Profundis. Methuen and Co, London, 1905.
Price: US$83.65 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: London, Methuen and Co., 1905 [Colonial Edition]. Crown octavo, [iii]-151 pages (bound without the half-title and advertisements). Later half roan and marbled boards; spine lettered and ruled in gilt; covers sunned and a little worn; a few spots of foxing to the the preliminaries; a couple of light pencilled emphases; one opening tanned from an acidic insert; trifling splits to a few leaves near the gutter; a very good copy nevertheless. The Colonial issue of the first edition. Edited by Robbie Ross, this edition omits any explicit reference to Wilde's relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, the addressee of the letter. The complete unexpurgated text was not published until 1962. This copy has the ownership signature (dated 1905) of Kenneth Binns, sometime Australian Commonwealth Parliamentary Librarian. Mason/Millard 418; see Mikolyzk A108.
Seller: Michael Treloar Booksellers ANZAAB/ILAB, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Oscar Wilde. De Profundis. Methuen And Co, London, 1905.
Price: US$121.91 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: A very good copy in half calf stamped Bumpus Ltd Binding. Gift inscription to FEP dated 1944. Five raised bands to lightly scuffed spine with gilt lettering. 151pp uncut block.
Seller: Juniper Books, Petersfield, United Kingdom
Oscar Wilde. De Profundis. Methuen, 1905.
Price: US$147.58 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Hardback 1st ed. 151 pp + 40 pp catalogue dated March 1905. Bound in blue cloth with gilt title the book is in very good condition. The spine is a little darkened and the prelims are foxed.
Seller: P Rulton Rare Books, Leominster, United Kingdom
Price: US$160.41 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: A third printing of the true first trade edition of 'De Profundis', published in March 1905, just a month after the first printing was published. There was also a limited edition of 200 large paper copies printed on handmade paper. Complete with the forty-page catalogue of books published by Methuen and Co., at the back of the book, dated March 1905. ***Very good in blue cloth-covered boards, with gilt titles to the spine and gilt titles and design to the front board. Boards clean and unmarked. The gilt is still bright. Corners sharp. No bumps or tears - just some light wear at the top and tail of the spine and edges of the spine. The fore-edge and lower edge of the page block is untrimmed i.e. rough-cut. Internally the book is also very good, with no inscriptions or annotations. There is some light foxing to the preliminary pages, but no other marks, creases or tears. There is a small pinhole to the front free endpaper near the spine, which carries through to the first couple of pages, but is not very noticeable. No dustwrapper. ***151 pages plus the forty-page publisher's catalogue at the back of the book 200mm x 140mm. ***'De Profundis (Latin: "from the depths") is a letter written by Oscar Wilde during his imprisonment in Reading Gaol, to "Bosie" (Lord Alfred Douglas). In its first half, Wilde recounts their previous relationship and extravagant lifestyle which eventually led to Wilde's conviction and imprisonment for gross indecency. He indicts both Lord Alfred's vanity and his own weakness in acceding to those wishes. In the second half, Wilde charts his spiritual development in prison and identification with Jesus Christ, whom he characterises as a romantic, individualist artist. The letter began "Dear Bosie" and ended "Your Affectionate Friend". ***Wilde wrote the letter between January and March 1897, close to the end of his imprisonment. Contact had lapsed between Douglas and Wilde and the latter had suffered from his close supervision, physical labour, and emotional isolation. Nelson, the new prison governor, thought that writing might be more cathartic than prison labour. He was not allowed to send the long letter which he was allowed to write "for medicinal purposes"; each page was taken away when completed, and only at the end could he read it over and make revisions. Nelson gave the long letter to him on his release on 18 May 1897. ***Wilde entrusted the manuscript to the journalist Robert Ross (another former lover, loyal friend, and rival to "Bosie"). Ross published the letter in 1905, five years after Wilde's death, giving it the title "De Profundis" from Psalm 130. It was an incomplete version, excised of its autobiographical elements and references to the Queensberry family; various editions gave more text until in 1962 the complete and correct version appeared in a volume of Wilde's letters.' (Wiki) ***An early third printing of "De Profundis", published just a month after the first printing, and in exactly the same format, in very good original condition. Early printings in collectable condition are quite scarce now. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.
Seller: Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Oscar Wilde.. De Profundis.. Methuen, London 1905, 1905.
Price: US$192.49 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition. Hardback. 1st edition, 1st impression. Original blue cloth, slightly used with slight nicking at spine ends and bruising to corners, lacks front endpaper, otherwise very good. No dust jacket. Catalogue at rear dated February 1905.
Seller: ROBIN SUMMERS BOOKS LTD, Aldeburgh, United Kingdom
Wilde, Oscar. De Profundis. Methuen and Co. London nd (1905), 1905.
Price: US$199.94 + shipping
Description: 151pp. + catalog dated February, 1905 8vo Blue cloth First printing of 1st edition: Mason #388 Multiple small bumps on cover tops, top fore corner bumped, spine ends rubbed, small stains on rear cover, pencil notes on endpaper and endpaper verso, endpaper foxing, small catalog clipping pasted to endpaper: VG- to VG/no dj
Seller: Bear Bookshop, John Greenberg, Brattleboro, VT, U.S.A.
Oscar Wilde. De Profundis. Methuen, 1905.
Price: US$230.99 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: pp (IX) 151 + 40. 1st printing. 2 edges untrimmed. Bookplate of Viscount Birkenhead to FPD.
Seller: Strawberry Hill Books, Rotherfield, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Wilde, Oscar. De Profundis. Methuen and Co., London, 1905.
Price: US$300.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First Edition, with the 40 page catalog at rear dated February, 1905. Original blue cloth, gilt decorated and lettered. Spine darkened to a darker blue than the covers, a book plate on the front paste down, a gift inscription on the ffep. Veery good with light shelf wear and one signature starting but firm. No dust jacket.
Seller: Yesterday's Gallery, ABAA, East Woodstock, CT, U.S.A.
WILDE, Oscar.. De Profundis.. Methuen, London., 1905.
Price: US$320.82 + shipping
Description: First edition; first issue with adverts dated February 1905. Octavo. 151 pages. The gilt design on the front cover is by Charles Ricketts. Top edge gilt. Five page Preface by Robert Ross. Slight crease to front free endpaper. Head and tail of spine a bit scuffed.
Seller: Peter Ellis, Bookseller, ABA, ILAB, London, United Kingdom
WILDE Oscar. DE PROFUNDIS. Methuen and Co. 36 Essex Street, Strand, London, 1905.
Price: US$363.68 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: 1 volume reliure pleine percaline bleue de l'éditeur (original blue buckram), dos et plat supérieur titrés, tête dorée, 151 pages, et 40 pages: Methuen catalogue dated February 1905, carte imprimée ex-libris de Leo Francis (Frank) Howard Schuster, 1852-1927, mélomane et mécène anglais (et le timbre à sec de: The Hut, Bray, Berks[hire]). First Edition. Bon exemplaire ( Photographies sur demande / We can send pictures of this book on simple request )
Seller: Librairie Rouchaleou, MONTPELLIER, FR, France
Wilde, Oscar. De Profundis. London Methuen 1905, 1905.
Price: US$365.73 + shipping
Description: A first edition, first printing published by Methuen in 1905. A very good (or better) book, with a little off-setting to the endpapers caused by previous owner's bookplate - dulling to the gilt - a couple of light stains to the boards here and there. Leading and lower edges are uncut. Spotting to the prelims. Publisher's catalogue bound to the rear. "De Profundis" is a heartfelt letter written during his imprisonment in Reading Gaol in 1897. It's a profound reflection on his life, suffering, and personal transformation. Addressed to his former lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, the letter is a mix of confession, critique, and self-discovery. In it, Wilde explores his spiritual and emotional journey, expressing deep remorse for past behaviour and a longing for spiritual and artistic renewal. "De Profundis" is a testament to Wilde's wit and literary prowess, as he grapples with themes of love, suffering, and redemption while serving his sentence. It stands as a remarkable piece of introspective writing, shedding light on Wilde's complex character and the impact of his downfall.
Seller: John Atkinson Books ABA ILAB PBFA, Harrogate, United Kingdom
WILDE, Oscar.. De Profundis.. London: Methuen & Co., 1905, 1905.
Price: US$641.63 + shipping
Description: First edition, first impression, trade issue, with the earliest state publisher's catalogue (dated February rather than March). De Profundis was written by Wilde during his two years in Reading Gaol (1895-7), but it was only published five years after his death by his literary executor Robert Ross, who wrote the five-page preface. Mason 388. Octavo. Original blue cloth, spine and front cover lettered in gilt, vignette design of a bird flying through prison bars by Charles Ricketts to front cover in gilt, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. With 40-page publisher's catalogue to rear, dated February 1905. Bookseller's ticket to front pastedown. Spine toned and slightly worn at foot, extremities bumped and rubbed, hint of foxing to rear endpaper, contents clean. A very good copy.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Oscar Wilde. De Profundis. Methuen, 1905.
Price: US$744.29 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: pp (IX). 1st printing. 2 edges untrimmed. Bookplate of Viscount Birkenhead to FPD.
Seller: Strawberry Hill Books, Rotherfield, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Wilde, Oscar. De Profundis. Methuen & Co, London, 1905.
Price: US$744.88 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: First trade edition, first issue, pp ix, 9-151, [40 adverts]. Original blue cloth, gilt title and decoration. Publication of Wilde's famous letter to "Bosie" (Lord Alfred Douglas), with the preface by Robert Ross. Fine copy of this classic work.
Seller: Anah Dunsheath RareBooks ABA ANZAAB ILAB, Auckland, NZ, New Zealand
Oscar Wilde. De Profundis. Methuen, 1905.
Price: US$850.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Wilde, Oscar, De Profundis, 1905 Methuen. First edition. i-x, 1-151, 1-40. Last section is a 40-page catalogue of Methuen books. ¾ red morocco with raised bands on spine and gilt lettering and decoration. In very good condition except that both boards have been re-attached with a discernible line of tape.
Seller: South Willington Book Cartel, WILLINGTON, CT, U.S.A.
WILDE Oscar. De Profundis. , 1905.
Price: US$5133.06 + shipping
Description: First edition, one of 200 copies printed on large paper. 8vo., original white cloth gilt after Charles Ricketts. T.e.g., others uncut. London, Methuen and Co. Very good, top edge of upper and lower covers very slightly rubbed and discoloured where a stain has been professionally cleaned, slight offsetting to front endpapers, internally bright and clean. Attractive bookplate of Cecil Frank Raphael to upper pastedown.
Seller: Maggs Bros. Ltd ABA, ILAB, PBFA, BA, London, United Kingdom
WILDE, Oscar.. De Profundis.. London: Methuen and Co., 1905, 1905.
Price: US$6416.33 + shipping
Description: First edition, limited issue, one of 200 copies on handmade paper, of the author's dramatic prison letter. This was the only literary work Wilde produced during his time in Reading Gaol (1895-97), eventually published five years after his death by his literary executor Robert Ross. Wilde began writing what became De Profundis in the final months of his imprisonment, from December 1896 till March 1897. The resulting manuscript developed from simply a letter into "a more purely autobiographical and meditative document, oriented to the future as much as to the past, in which Wilde laid out the preconditions and terms on which he intended to face the world once again" (Frankel, p. 68). Though Wilde instructed Ross to send the twenty handwritten sheets to Lord Alfred Douglas, after first having two typewritten duplicates made, Ross instead retained it, having realised its literary value. Ross published this first edition of the letter with Methuen in 1905, as "a heavily redacted version of the manuscript to great acclaim, with the title De Profundis (meaning 'From the Depths', from Psalm 130), having first carefully removed all references to Douglas or his family as well as all traces of the document's origins as a letter. Tellingly, when Douglas reviewed this 1905 publication for the Motorist and Traveler, he was unable to recognise the work's origins in a letter to himself" (ibid., p. 69). The manuscript was eventually deposited in the British Library in 1909, on condition that access was restricted for fifty years. Mason 389. Nicholas Frankel, Oscar Wilde. The Unrepentant Years. 2017. Octavo. Original white cloth, spine and front cover lettered in gilt, design of a bird flying through prison bars and a night sky by Charles Ricketts in gilt on front cover, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. Armorial bookplate to front pastedown of a branch of the Edinburgh Webster family. Spine slightly toned, mild fingersoiling to cloth, contents generally bright and clean. A very good copy.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom