Oscar Wilde believed his success as a writer was due to him never relying on the craft as a source of income, a previously unseen letter by the author has revealed.
Oscar Wilde Photo: Napoleon
Sarony
The document, along with the poet and playwright's first draft of his famous
sonnet The New Remorse, was found in a dusty box in the back of a wardrobe.
The 13-page letter is undated but is assumed to have been written around
1890, just as Wilde was becoming one of London's most popular playwrights.
It is a deep and insightful letter of reply to a wouldbe writer seeking tips
on how to be successful.
Wilde told him not to rely on earning a living from writing, adding: "The
best work in literature is always done by those who do not depend on it for
their daily bread and the highest form of literature, Poetry, brings no wealth
to the singer.
"Make some sacrifice for your art and you will be repaid but ask of art to
sacrifice herself for you and a bitter disappointment may come to you."
Wilde writes about meeting the aristocrat, stating: "It is thy new-found
Lord, and he shall kiss, the yet unravished roses of thy mouth."
It was Wilde's relationship with Lord Douglas that led to his downfall after he attempted to sue his lover's father for libel only to end up being jailed for gross indecency.
The two documents were owned by a Victorian brewery owner who collected autographed letters and manuscripts.
They were passed down his family to his granddaughter and were found by experts called to clear her estate in Shippon, near Abingdon, Oxon, after her death last November.
Mike Heseltine, of specialist manuscript auctioneers Bloomsbury of London, said: "The letter is hitherto unknown and is entirely fascinating while the first draft of one of his most important poems is equally exciting.
"It is hard to say whether Wilde knew the aspiring writer but he went on for 13 pages and was quite honest and direct in his words of advice.
"The gist of it is telling the recipient, a Mr Morgan, to write by all means but to make sure he has some other job to rely on for money."
The documents once belonged to Lawrence Hodson, a wealthy brewery owner from the West Midlands who had contacts in the publishing world.
The folded letter is estimated to sell for £12,000.
The autographed draft of 'The New Remorse' was writtem on 'Florence Hotel' headed paper, and is expected to sell for £7,500.
The auction takes place on April 4.
It was Wilde's relationship with Lord Douglas that led to his downfall after he attempted to sue his lover's father for libel only to end up being jailed for gross indecency.
The two documents were owned by a Victorian brewery owner who collected autographed letters and manuscripts.
They were passed down his family to his granddaughter and were found by experts called to clear her estate in Shippon, near Abingdon, Oxon, after her death last November.
Mike Heseltine, of specialist manuscript auctioneers Bloomsbury of London, said: "The letter is hitherto unknown and is entirely fascinating while the first draft of one of his most important poems is equally exciting.
"It is hard to say whether Wilde knew the aspiring writer but he went on for 13 pages and was quite honest and direct in his words of advice.
"The gist of it is telling the recipient, a Mr Morgan, to write by all means but to make sure he has some other job to rely on for money."
The documents once belonged to Lawrence Hodson, a wealthy brewery owner from the West Midlands who had contacts in the publishing world.
The folded letter is estimated to sell for £12,000.
The autographed draft of 'The New Remorse' was writtem on 'Florence Hotel' headed paper, and is expected to sell for £7,500.
The auction takes place on April 4.
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