WILDE, Oscar (1854-1900). Autograph Letter Signed. [New York:] West 11th Street, [ca. late 1882]. Two 4to pages on one sheet of plain white paper with deckle-edges. Approximately 9 x 7". Addressed "Dear Mr. Whiffen," and signed "most truly [?] yours Oscar Wilde". A CHARMING LETTER BY WILDE, WRITTEN IN NEW YORK DURING HIS FAMOUS LECTURE TOUR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

"I am afraid you will think me very forgetful but I was quite under the impression that tomorrow was the day you so kindly invited me to visit / you on and Today I most unluckily have made an appointment with a theatrical manager who has come specifically from Boston to see me and fear I could not break it. Will you accept my very sincere apologies, and Believe me most Truly yours Oscar Wilde". Wilde arrived in New York on January 7, 1882, and sailed back to England on December 27 of that same year. He had undertaken an extensive lecture tour on aspects of Aestheticism, which took him as far as Canada, Colorado and Texas (he was a great favorite in the American West). He returned to New York at the end of October. He then started negotiations for American stage performances of two of his early plays, Vera and The Duchess of Padua. Vera failed on stage in August of 1883, and The Duchess of Padua did only slightly better, having only 21 performances in January of 1891. 

The recipient, Thomas Whiffen (musician and stage actor) was a friend of Wilde's, who, reportedly, played violin for Wilde in order to relax and entertain the great writer. Whiffen's wife, Blanche (1845-1936) was a prolific stage actress, who originated the role of Mrs. Marchmont in the American production of Wilde's An Ideal Husband. Mrs. Whiffen later wrote about Wilde in her autobiography, Keeping Off the Shelf, in which she praised Wilde, and condemned the criticism he endured for his moral plays in America. An excellent association.

One horizontal and one vertical crease, lightly toned, with occasional minor thumbsoiling, and a few tiny marginal chips. Fine.