To help commemorate the centenary of Oscar Wilde's untimely death, the UW Madison Department of Special Collections is displaying many of the author's works from their original publishing. The exhibition \Flights of Fancy: The Decorated Books of Oscar Wilde and His Circle from the James G. Nelson Collection,"" takes a look at Wilde's contribution as well as his contemporary authors and illustrators.
The exhibit is divided into three parts. The first section includes three cases of Wilde's work, published both during and after his death. One set of books consists of pirated copies by publisher Leonard Smithers. Smithers published copies of Wilde's books after the author died in 1900. No royalties were ever recieved by the Wilde family.
Also in the collection is a copy of Wilde's poem ""The Ballad of Reading Gaol,"" which he wrote while imprisoned for homosexuality. Instead of stating his own name as the author, he signed C.3.3., which was his assigned prison number.
Another section of the exhibit is dedicated to Aubrey Beardsley, a prominent illustrator from the same era. Beardsley is best known for his flowery designs and bawdy illustrations. Many erotic and risqué books and periodicals featuring Beardsley's illustrations are on display.
The third section features books from a wide range of Wilde's peers. The collection features both men and women writers as well as works from the three dominant publishers of the time.
In the literary world, Wilde is probably best known for his play ""The Importance of Being Earnest."" Oscar Wilde, the man, however, is remembered for his wit and sexual taboos. Curator Jill Rosenfield said, ""Wilde is remembered for contributing to the end of the Victorian Era by exploiting and acknowledging the beginning of the Modern Era.""
