The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Value Guide

This early 20th-century edition of Oscar Wilde's only novel represents a pivotal moment in American publishing history through the Modern Library series. Produced by Boni and Liveright between 1917 and 1925, these volumes made Wilde's once-scandalous tale of hedonism and moral decay accessible to a burgeoning class of modern readers.

What affects the value of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde?

• Condition of the cloth binding, specifically looking for fraying at the spine ends or sun-fading on the cover.
• The presence and state of the original dust jacket, which can significantly increase the $200-$220 baseline value.
• Internal cleanliness, including the absence of foxing, previous owner inscriptions, or brittle page edges.
• The specific printing year within the 1917-1925 range, as the earliest Boni and Liveright iterations are more sought after by bibliophiles.

How to Identify The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde?

• Check the title page and spine for the Boni and Liveright imprint, which predates the Bennett Cerf era of the Modern Library.
• Verify the presence of the early Modern Library logo, often featuring a torch-bearer or stylized figure on the binding.
• Examine the cloth binding for the specific texture and color palettes used by Boni and Liveright during the 1917-1925 production window.
• Confirm the text includes the expanded 1891 version rather than the original 1890 Lippincott's serialized format.

History of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde's only novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' first appeared as a serialized story in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890. It caused a scandal due to its controversial themes of hedonism and moral decay. Wilde expanded and revised the story for its 1891 book publication. The Modern Library, an American publishing house, began reprinting significant works in the early 20th century, making classic literature accessible to a wider audience. Boni and Liveright were early publishers for The Modern Library, contributing to the widespread availability of such influential works.