An edition of The Importance Of Being Earnest given by its author Oscar Wilde to the governor of the prison in which he was held has been sold for £55,000.
Wilde sent the book, one of a run of 100 special copies, to Major James Nelson who was the governor of Reading Gaol during the time of his incarceration for gross indecency and allowed his famous prisoner access to books.
The edition, which was sold by auctioneer Bonhams in London, was inscribed: "To Major Nelson: from the author. A trivial recognition of a great and noble kindness. Feb, 99."
It had been estimated to sell for between £40,000 and £60,000.
Wilde was found guilty in May 1895 and transferred to Reading in November. By July of the following year Major Ingram had taken over and allowed Wilde to not only read but also begin writing once more. He also gave him back the manuscript to De Profundis on his release which ordinarily would have been retained by the prison.
Following his release in May 1897, Wilde wrote The Ballad Of Reading Gaol which was published the following year.
Bonhams head of books Matthew Haley said: "Wilde suffered greatly in prison and the inscription is a testament to the enormous difference which Major Nelson's acts of common humanity made to his morale and health."
Earlier this month, actor Nigel Havers gave a reading from the edition in preparation for his performance in a new West End stage production of The Importance Of Being Earnest.
His audience assembled in Room 118 of The Cadogan Hotel in London where Wilde was arrested. Previews for the play open at the Harold Pinter Theatre on June 27 and it opens properly on July 17.
Additional reporting by the Press Association
