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The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. by Wilde, Oscar - 1899

by Wilde, Oscar

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The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. by Wilde, Oscar - 1899

The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.

by Wilde, Oscar

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • Signed
  • first
London: Leonard Smithers and Co, 1899. Limited first trade edition of the author's masterpiece, one of 1000 copies. Quarto, original publisher's lavender cloth stamped in gilt. In fine condition. Housed in custom half morocco clamshell chemise and case. A superior example, rare and desirable in this condition. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personæ to escape burdensome social obligations. Working within the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play's major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. Contemporary reviews all praised the play's humour, though some were cautious about its explicit lack of social messages, while others foresaw the modern consensus that it was the culmination of Wilde's artistic career so far. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde's most enduringly popular play. The successful opening night marked the climax of Wilde's career but also heralded his downfall. The Marquess of Queensberry, whose son Lord Alfred Douglas was Wilde's lover, planned to present the writer with a bouquet of rotten vegetables and disrupt the show. Wilde was tipped off and Queensberry was refused admission. Soon afterwards their feud came to a climax in court, where Wilde's homosexual double life was revealed to the Victorian public and he was eventually sentenced to imprisonment. His notoriety caused the play, despite its early success, to be closed after 86 performances. After his release, he published the play from exile in Paris, but he wrote no further comic or dramatic work.
  • Bookseller Raptis Rare Books US (US)
  • Book Condition Used
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Publisher Leonard Smithers and Co
  • Place of Publication London
  • Date Published 1899
  • Keywords first edition, Oscar Wilde, signed, The Importance of Being Ernest

We have 922 copies available starting at NZ$6.06.

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)
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The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • first
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Edition
1
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
10
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Dover Publications. 1. Acceptable. Acceptable. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
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NZ$6.06
The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
  • good
  • first
Condition
Used - Good
Edition
1
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
16
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$6.06

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Description:
Dover Publications. 1. Good. Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
NZ$6.06
The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • first
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Edition
1
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$7.33

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Description:
Dover Publications. 1. Acceptable. Acceptable. Heavy wear. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
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The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • first
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Edition
1
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$7.74

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Description:
Dover Publications. 1. Acceptable. Acceptable. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
NZ$7.74
The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
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Description:
Dover Publications, Incorporated, 1990. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$7.96
The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$7.96

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Description:
Dover Publications, Incorporated, 1990. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$7.96
The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Wilde, Oscar

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$7.96

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, 1990. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$7.96
The Importance of Being Earnest
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Wilde, Oscar

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9780380012770
ISBN 10
0380012774
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Imperial, Missouri, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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NZ$8.01

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UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
NZ$8.01
The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Imperial, Missouri, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.01

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
NZ$8.01
The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

by Oscar Wilde

  • Used
  • very good
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
1
ISBN 13
9780486264783
ISBN 10
0486264785
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.01

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications. 1. Very Good. Very Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
NZ$8.01