A collection of love letters written by Oscar Wilde to a young male magazine editor have been discovered.
The affectionate letters appear to show the poet struggling with his homosexuality at a time when it was punishable by prison.
During his time writing for Society Magazines in London, Wilde wrote a series of letters in 1887 to fellow editor Alsager Vian inviting him for "cigars and Italian wine", reports the Telegraph.
The intriguing collection is now expected to fetch £10,000 or more when it goes to auction later in September.
The main content relates to the business that would take place between an editor and his writers.
However, within the pages Wilde has exposed his love for the fellow, as he continuously asked him to come over.
In the final letter Wilde goes to great lengths to encourage a meeting as he wrote: “Come and dine at Pagani''s in Portland Street on Friday 7.30pm. No dress, just ourselves and a flask of Italian wine.”
The small but revealing group of letters is to be sold by Fine Art Auctioneers Bamfords.