A man as tormented as he was beloved, Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) overcame a life of extraordinary ups and downs to become a world-renowned playwright, author and poet.
He used his experiences to form brilliant, if controversial, literary works, including The Importance of Being Earnest, a draft of which is reproduced on our latest Embellished Manuscript journal.
Wilde’s work is fraught with the insights of a man who possessed a deep understanding of both the positives and perils of society.
The comedy The Importance of Being Earnest was a great success upon opening but saw its run cut short when Wilde was imprisoned for “gross indecency.”
This represented one of the first famous celebrity trials but was, sadly, only one of many persecutions of a member of the LGBTQ community for a consensual act.
We first reproduced this handwritten playscript as an Embellished Manuscript in 2010 and are pleased to have it back in our collection with an updated look as we continue to celebrate Wilde’s literary legacy and personal perseverance today.
Our Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest design is available as an ultra and mini hardcover journal, a bookmark and a canvas bag.
