The Importance of Being Earnest

The Smithers (London) 1899 edition is the true first — the play was staged in 1895 but not published until 1899. The 12 Japanese-vellum and the 100 large-paper copies are the premier states above the ordinary issue of 1,000; the large-paper (and vellum) copies bear Wilde's signature, notable given his post-prison disgrace. Wilde is unnamed on the title page of every issue.