Unseen photo of Oscar Wilde sells at auction

15 hours ago

Ethan GudgeSouth of England

Dominic Winter Auctioneers A black and white archive image of Oscar Wilde as a student. He is wearing a black bowler hat and suit. — The picture featuring Oscar Wilde was discovered in a Victorian photo album

A newly discovered photograph of Oscar Wilde during his time studying at the University of Oxford has has sold for more than £5,000.

Dating from 1876, the image in a Victorian photo album shows Wilde in a group photo taken alongside his fellow students in the cloisters of Magdalen College.

After his time in Oxford, the Irish author would go on to become a literary giant of the late 19th and early 20th centuries - with masterpieces including The Picture of Dorian Grey still adorning bookshelves across the globe.

The newly uncovered image is part of a collection that went under the hammer at Cirencester-based auction house Dominic Winter Auctioneers on Wednesday.

The photo album - which features 90 miscellaneous photographs, including the image of Wilde - fetched £5,308, more than auctioneers had estimated.

Dominic Winter Auctioneers A black and white group photo taken in the cloisters of Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1876. The men in the image are all well dressed. — The group photo was taken at Magdalen College in 1876

Wilde arrived at Oxford as an undergraduate in 1874 and graduated four years later, by which time he had become one of the city's most recognisable figures.

The image shows 50 men loosely arranged in three rows, with most wearing suits and either boaters, boards or bowler hats.

He can be seen fifth from the left in the middle row - alongside his close circle of friends at the time.

As well as the iconic author, the image also features Christian Frederick Cole, who was the University of Oxford's first black graduate.

Dominic Winter Auctioneers Black and white image of Sir Winston Churchill on horseback. He is well dressed and is wearing his iconic black hat. — A signed photo of Sir Winston Churchill on horseback is also going under the hammer

Among the other photos up for auction on Wednesday was a signed picture of former Woodstock resident, and wartime prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill.

Taken in 1948 during his time as leader of the opposition, the picture shows Sir Winston on horseback whilst participating in a hunt.

The image more-than doubled its estimated price, selling for £3,172.

Another highlight was a rare group photo of the Kennedy political dynasty - with future American President John seen alongside his brothers, and 20th century US senators, Robert and Ted.

The picture, taken at the American Embassy in London in 1939, had been estimated to sell for between £500 and £800, but went unsold.