Key to Oscar Wilde’s jail cell to be auctioned off

The key is believed to have been used to unlock the Reading gaol cell occupied by Wilde between 1895-1897 following his conviction for sodomy and gross indecency.

Auctioneers Sotheby’s estimate that the key will sell for between £4,000 and £6,000.

It will be sold mounted within a wooden presentation box with a sliding glass lid, accompanied with a framed statement on headed paper from Leslie Portch, then-Governor of HM Prison Reading.

Ms Portch presented the key to the Rotary Club of Reading in December 1971 with a note explaining: “This key … opened all Cells in ‘C’ Wing and consequently would have been used to unlock C. 3-3 occupied by Oscar Wilde from November 19 1895 to May 18 1897”.

The English Literature, History, Children’s Books and Illustrations auction begins at 10am tomorrow.