Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

A highly personal memoir of Oscar Wilde, and a close copy of the 1932 original, which was limited to 800 copies Reprinted here for the first time since the limited edition of 1932, this is one of the most evocative and touching memoirs ever written about Oscar Wilde and the circles he moved in. Charles Ricketts was one of his closest friends; he also worked on stage productions and books with Wilde. Shortly before he died he wrote this account of his friendship with Wilde, partly as an imagined conversation with a fictitious French writer, Jean Paul Raymond. The memoir was printed by one of the great book designers of the following generation, Francis Meynell. This edition reproduces that original design, including the spectacular cover based by Ricketts on his designs for Salomé. An afterword by Matthew Sturgis puts the work in the context of the 1880s and 1890s, of Wilde's astonishing success and terrible downfall.

Vyvyan Wilde and his brother enjoyed a normal, happy Victorian childhood. Then, when Vyvyan was not yet nine, Oscar Wilde was arrested for homosexual acts. His wife and two sons changed their name and went into exile.