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Lecture Tour of America 1882

Writing and Research on Oscar Wilde

New York

New York


Chickering Hall

Monday, January 9, 1882


The English Renaissance

First Lecture

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Verification

Newspaper report

The New York Times, Jan 10, 1882, 5


Introduction by Wilde’s manager Col. W. F. Morse

.."I have the honor", said the Colonel in a clear voice that was heard all over the hall, "to introduce to you Oscar Wilde the English (sic) poet, who will deliver his lecture upon the 'English Renaissance.'"


Related:

Printed Announcement

Full Report

Grand Hotel, New York

Accommodation

For details of Wilde's initial accommodation in New York City see under Lodging in this review of his arrival.

Cartoon OSCAR WILDE ON THE PLATFORM

Ephemera

Newspaper cartoon (left)

Caption reads:


OSCAR WILDE ON THE PLATFORM

The famous aesthete posing and "mashing" on his shape at Chickering Hall, New York City.


The National Police Gazette: NY, January 28th, 1882, 4.


Autograph (below)

Two days after his lecture, on January 11, 1882, Oscar Wilde signed the remarkable Lafayette F. Cornwell autograph book in New York with lines from his poem The Garden of Eros:


…creamy meadow-sweet

Whiter than Juno's throat, and odorous

As all Arabia -


[compare with similar signed fragment in Spanish Fort]

Lafayette F. Cornwell autograph book signature of Oscar Wilde
Chickering Hall, New York

Venue

Chickering Hall

NW Corner of Fifth Ave and 18th Street, New York, NY (now 130 Fifth Avenue)


Built: 1875 (George B. Post)

Demolished: 1901


Related:

Location of Chickering Hall

Interior of the hall

Chickering and Sons (Wikipedia)


John Cooper on Oscar Wilde © 2026