Oscar Wilde Memorabilia Auction at Bonhams Achieves White Glove Sale with £1.7 Million Total

A white glove auction dedicated to Oscar Wilde memorabilia achieved remarkable results at Bonhams Knightsbridge on February 18, 2026. The sale realized £1,689,780 with all 156 lots sold. The top-performing item was the final photograph of Oscar Wilde on his deathbed from November 30, 1900, which fetched £279,800 against a modest estimate of £3,000-5,000. This collection was assembled over six decades by Jeremy Mason, a noted Wilde collector, bibliophile, and former dealer in Oriental antiques. Matthew Haley, Bonhams Head of Fine Books and Manuscripts, expressed delight at the sale's success, noting how Wilde's legacy continues to captivate collectors worldwide. The auction featured material spanning the poet, dramatist, and novelist's life from 1854 to 1900. Among the highlights was a cabinet card photograph by Napoleon Sarony. The event demonstrated the enduring appeal of Wilde's work and persona, attracting significant collector interest.