South Jersey Author Discovers A Lost Essay by Oscar Wilde

DEPTFORD, N.J. - Sept. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- DEPTFORD, NJ (September 24, 2013) It is rare that an important contribution by a major author goes unrecorded. Rarer still if the author is Oscar Wilde, the famous poet, writer, dramatist, and much quoted wit, who has been the subject of continual interest and analysis since his death in 1900. But such has been the fate of his 1885 essay “The Philosophy Of Dress” which now forms the centerpiece of a unique collection of Wilde’s writings on dress and fashion, for the first time in book form—as such, it represents a Oscar Wilde First Edition.

http://www.oscarwildeondress.com

In 2012, author John Cooper rediscovered “The Philosophy Of Dress,” an essay that Wilde wrote for the New York Tribune in 1885; it is his thesis on Victorian dress reform and essentially the missing text of his many lectures on Dress that were thought to have been unrecorded. In addition to the rediscovered essay, the book contains generously annotated and illustrated chapters that analyze the importance of dress to Wilde’s writing career, and a comprehensive review of the influences, trends, characters, and source material that informed his dress philosophy. As a compendium this book includes several period articles and letters by Wilde on dress and fashion, along with related, but rarely published, correspondence.

John Cooper is a former British chartered architectural surveyor now resident in Deptford, NJ. He has spent 30 years in the study of Oscar Wilde, and for the last 12 years has specialized in new and unique research into Oscar Wilde in New York City, where he also conducts guided walking tours based on the visits of Oscar Wilde. It was while doing this research that Cooper discovered the essay.  After researching the essay more, he sent it to Merlin Holland, Oscar Wilde’s grandson and the world’s leading authority on Wilde’s legacy, who verified that it was indeed a genuine essay by Wilde, saying “it screams Oscar from start to finish.” The Oxford University Press, currently compiling the definitive version of Wilde’s essays and journalism also conceded that they had missed, and have duly acknowledged the local author with the find.

Holland encouraged Cooper to write a book around the essay, and fueled by this, he wrote the book in just 6 months as a culmination of the research he had been doing for years. “It was a true labor of love to do the research and write the book, yet make the work readable and scholarly without being overly academic.”

Once written, Cooper was determined to find a printer that produce a book worthy of a First Edition by Oscar Wilde. Enter Bella Forte Bookbinding & Letterpress in Philadelphia, a small woman-owned business that creates exquisite hand-crafted books and letterpress designs. Working with owner Bridget Morris, and graphic designer Joanna Darlington, Cooper’s “Oscar Wilde on Dress” was produced in a limited edition hardback printed on Crane 100% cotton paper, hand sewn, and hand bound in Iris linen with a printed cover design.

Oscar Wilde continues to be favorably reappraised as a one of the most culturally avant garde tastemakers of the nineteenth century. In an ever fashion-conscious world it is fitting that the themes explored, like the author himself, are still relevant. Wilde’s relationship to dress is a previously overlooked aspect in his life and this book should prove to be of interest not only to Wildean scholars, but also to anyone who enjoys Wilde’s style of writing.

The book is also available as an eBook for Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Google Play Books.

http://www.oscarwildeondress.com

CONTACT

John Cooper, (856) 857-4395

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