WILDE (Oscar). The Ballad of Reading Gaol. The Ballad of Reading Gaol, by C.3.3. Paris, Mercure de France, 1898. In-12, black jansenist morocco, gilt title on front cover, smooth mute spine, embossed paper lining, black glazed paper endpapers, double endpapers, gilt edges on witnesses, cover and spine, black morocco folder and slipcase (D. Morcrette del. - C. de Séguier - P. Prouteau). First edition of the first French translation, edited by Henry-D. Davray and revised by the author, with the original English text opposite. It was during his exile in France, near Dieppe, that Oscar Wilde composed this long poem in 1897 about his imprisonment in Reading Gaol, which was his last work. The Ballad of Reading Gaol was first published in English in London in early 1898, without Wilde's name appearing. Wilde died in Paris in 1900, destitute and aged forty-six. Copy on publisher's paper (only 12 copies were printed on hollande), complete with publisher's catalogue printed on pink paper. A precious copy offered by Oscar Wilde to Charles Maurras with this autograph signed letter: Charles Maurras : hommage de l'auteur Oscar Wilde A very fine copy, finely bound according to Daniel Morcrette's design.