Wilde (Oscar) The Sphinx, first edition, one of 200 copies, half-title, pictorial title, illustrations and decorations by Charles Ricketts, printed in red, green and black, occasional browning, original pictorial vellum, gilt, designed by Ricketts and Henry Leighton, uncut, covers a little bowed, some light surface soiling, [Mason 361], small 4to, 1894.

⁂ One of Ricketts's most important early book designs, The Sphinx was delayed in its publication on account of the Beardsley-illustrated Salome appearing in 1893. Eventually the book came out in 1894 in an edition of 200 copies; press hostility to Wilde ensured its failure. The book became a rarity almost immediately owing to a fire at the Ballantyne Press destroying many of the unsold copies.