The Priest and the Acolyte
Privately Printed [1894].
Item #230
This notorious story about a priest's infatuation with a young acolyte that ends in mutual suicide was originally published in the short-lived homosexual magazine The Chameleon. The story raised a public furor during Oscar Wilde's trial because of his association with the magazine and the piece was labeled "garbage and offal" by his critics. The prosecutor in the trial referred to it as "in essence, a teaching of sodomitical practices." Although there is no colophon, the edition of the present volume is reputed to be 50 copies only for private circulation. The book was published by Leonard Smithers according to Nelson (Publisher to the Decadents @ 350) wherein he places the actual publication date at 1905. Mendes 170, Ellmann 403-4, Murray's List 171.
Very good in original buff wrappers, some cracking and loss to spine, a bit of edge wear, but a nice copy.
Price: $1,200.00