London, J.W. Parker and Son (1858) 8vo., 128 pp. A rare volume on the conduct of young men given to the eccentric teenage poet and Etonian, Digby Mackworth Dolben at age 14. Dolben caused considerable scandal at Eton with his exhibitionist behaviour and homosexual eccentricities He wrote homosexual verses to his contemporaries and scandalized his tutors with his behaviour. Dolben drowned at 19 and was mourned by the great Victorian poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins: “there can very seldom have happened the loss of so much beauty (in body and mind and life) ... Inscribed in 1862 to Dolben by Edward Daniel Stone, classical scholar and a schoolmaster at Eton during Dolben's tenure there. Armorial ex-libris of George Digby Scott, rector of Bray Quite rare- the first book of Dolben's library of which we are aware. Full crushed brown morocco and gilt, some wear, evidence of old tape strip removal, all edges gilt. More about Essays written in the intervals of business

Paris: Oliven (1956). 96pp. Collection of writings on various subjects- aesthetics, spirituality, etc, illustrated throughout with homoerotic drawings by Hervé Dubly. One of only 125 signed and numbered copies (#40), warmly inscribed on title page by the author. Very good in illustrated wrappers, rear wrapper lightly worn. More about Sculpter sa statue

Paris: Albin Michel (1928). An uncommon gay novel set in a Montmartre gay bar which accurately reflects the decadence of the 1920s through the eyes of the bar's owner Horace and his much younger lover. Very good in original wrappers by Vertes, light edgewear, wrinkling to spine. One of 10 special copies on Mongolfier (#9). Quite uncommon. More about Adonis Bar

Leipzig, Klaristischer Verlag Akropolis (16pp.) (ND). One of a series of publications by this early German advocate of sexual emancipation and the revival of "male culture". He was a frequent contributor to Der Eigene and his anthology of homoerotic literature, Lieblingminne und Freundesliebe in der Weltliteratur is an important text in the field and the precursor to Edward Carpenter's Iolaus. Very good in wrappers, light spotting to covers. More about 3000 Jahre Bolschewismus

[Barcelona] [1918-1925?]. A collection of nine salacious novelettes published by La Novela Galante, most likely published shortly after the first World War. These numerous erotic stories were printed on poor paper with rather crude illustrations and generally had provocative cover illustrations printed in color. Although generally heterosexual in content, one issue in this collection concerns a lesbian story. Generally very good, covers intact, bound together in paper boards. Included are the following: De Cabeza....al Pilon (VII #331); Los Trabajos de Ascensión (VI #246); La Alcadesa de Sotón (VI #247); Golpes de Pandero (VI #248); Las Piernas Locas (VI #249); La Cola del Diablo (VI # 250); Los Cincos Novios de Mary (VI #251); La Venganza de Don Nuño (VI # 252); El Chorizo de Rioja (VI # 253). More about

Naples (ND) circa 1915. An uncommon early treatise on homosexuality, as well as other reputed sexual abnormalities. A fair copy, front wrapper not present, much of the spine has chipped, internally very good. More about Inversioni Sessuali

Paris (ND). Hardcover. 4to. The first edition of this book, titled Sundays in the later English edition. Illustrated throughout by Vertes. Very good in black leather binding, some cracking to edges. office. More about Sunday or a Working Girl's Lament

Paris: Albert Messein (1921). The last book penned by the eccentric opium addict before his early death on the island of Capri several years later. The poems collected here largely inspired by opium and cocaine use, and one poem relates to Oscar Wilde and Alfred Douglas. One of 500 numbered copies, near fine in decorated wrappers. Uncommon. More about Hei Hsiang–Le Parfum Noir

Capri (1990) 4to. A collection of Fersen's poetry accompanied by previously unpublished photographs of the Villa Lysis and Nino Cesarini. Introduction by Roger Peyrefitte. A lovely production. Fine in wrappers, light wear to glassine wrappers. More about Amori et Dolori Sacrum–Jacques Fersen–La Scelta di Capri

London: Printed for George Peacock (ND). Hardcover. No. 5 in a series of pamphlets from the Library Illustrative of Social Progesss from the original editions collected by the late Henry Thomas Buckle. Very good in grey boards, numbered at head of spine. More about Madame Birchini's Dance: A Modern Tale.with Considerable Additions

New York: December 1941-Jan. 1942 (Volume 1, Nos. 9-10). 10pp. An early edition of the groundbreaking American surrealist magazine, issued in a newspaper format. Works by Tchelitchew, Joseph Cornell, Leonora Carrington. Very good, light edgewear, folded. More about View

Paris: Èditions de la Mandragore [ c.1927 ]. 29pp. 8vo. Paul Souday (1869-1929) was one of the most important French literary critics of his time and the author of biographies of Gide, Proust and Valéry. Although very traditional in his tastes, he engaged in an extended correspondence with Proust and wrote his obituary for the New York Times. Nonetheless, Souday often fulminated with homophobic diatribes, including this excerpt in an essay on Gide's Les Faux Monnayeurs: "[There are] annoying analogies between André Gide's various heroes and Mr. Charlus and his friends. Oh! There is no crudity in the language here. All of this is discrete, veiled, and a very innocent reader would not necessarily understand what it's all about. On the other hand, it's all too clear. Truly, it becomes intolerable, especially with Gide's seriousness and insipid sentimentality." (See Levitz, Modernist Mysteries: Persephone @ 267.) Souday had presented a questionnaire on the subject of homosexuality to a number of other homophobic French writers in in 1926 edition of the literary journal Les Marges, which perhaps was the impetus for the present publication. The edition contains a number of short essays on a range of "issues" related to homosexuality and we surmise that the author was in fact submitting a parody of Souday and his compatriots. Very good in original stapled wrappers. Quite rare, no institutional copies located. More about Manuscrit trouvé dans la poche de M. Paul Souday