Biscuit Factory visitors' book
1892
Biscuit Factory visitors' book, signed by Oscar Wilde
On the left-hand page of this Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory visitors' book is the signature of Oscar Wilde, the poet and playwright. The Wildes were family friends of Walter and Jean Palmer. The novelist George Meredith was a guest at their house in Southcote Road on the same occasion. These two literary figures did not get on well together, as both liked the sound of their own voice. Meredith's signature can be seen above that of Wilde - they visited the factory on different days! Other famous visitors to the factory whose names appear on the same page of the book were the artist Louise Jopling, and actors Henry Irving and Johnston Forbes-Robertson.
Only three years later Oscar Wilde returned to Reading as a prisoner at the gaol, condemmed to two years hard labour after being convicted of 'gross indecency' (having relationships with other men). As the gaol was situated only yards from the factory it was called the 'biscuit factory' by inmates. Occasionally a kind warder smuggled a few Ginger Nut biscuits to Wilde, whose stomach was permanently upset by the prison food. After his release Wilde wrote 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' drawing on his time in the prison.
Museum object number
See related topic: Reading Gaol
See related topic: Huntley and Palmers Collection