Great Minds at Work

These unique journals, a hallmark of our Paperblanks collection, portray the work of some of the greatest writers, thinkers and artists of all time. Our reproductions of excerpts from original manuscripts, letters, scores and drawings provide a glimpse into the creative process of a variety of important figures.

New This Season!

Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

A man as tormented as he was beloved, Oscar Wilde (1854– 1900) overcame a life of extraordinary ups and downs to become a world-renowned playwright, author and poet. He stands as one of the most influential writers of the Victorian era.

Wilde’s work is fraught with the insights of a man who possessed a deep understanding of both the positives and perils of society. Criticized for what was perceived as an “effeminate nature” and oppressed by a largely homophobic world, Wilde remained resilient. He used his experiences to form brilliant, if controversial, literary works.

The comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, a draft of which is reproduced here, was a great success upon opening but saw its run cut short when Wilde was imprisoned for “gross indecency.” This represented one of the first famous celebrity trials but was, sadly, only one of many persecutions of a member of the LGBTQ community for a consensual act. We first released this Embellished Manuscript in 2010, and this season we bring it back in celebration of Wilde’s literary legacy and personal perseverance.

For fans of: Embellished Manuscripts, Special Editions