Sebastian Melmoth. Wilde, Oscar.

First edition, first impression, handsomely bound in the style of Douglas Cockerell. The book reprints epigrams and aphorisms from Wilde's writings, alongside his essay "The Soul of Man Under Socialism", originally published in the Fortnightly Review in February 1891. The book takes for its title Wilde's alias, which he adopted following his release from prison in 1897. He took the name from St Sebastian and the titular character in Charles Maturin's Gothic novel Melmoth the Wanderer (1820). This copy was given by the racehorse trainer George Lambton (1860-1945) to the socialite Valerie, Lady Meux (1852-1910) in the year of publication, with Lambton's inscription, dated Christmas 1904, on the front free endpaper. Mason 633. Small octavo (162 x 123 mm). Contemporary brown morocco, unsigned but in the style of Douglas Cockerell, spine with five raised bands, second compartment lettered in gilt, spine and covers ruled and dotted in gilt, trifoliate tools to covers in blind, central lozenge to front cover in gilt and green, turn-ins ruled in gilt, edges gilt. Title page printed in red and black. Spine slightly sunned, faint marks to covers, contents crisp. A near-fine copy.