Conseils aux Jeunes Gens
Paris: Garnier (1920s). Advice on sexual matters to young men, including a discussion of homosexuality, etc. A fair copy in rather tired wrappers. More
Paris: Garnier (1920s). Advice on sexual matters to young men, including a discussion of homosexuality, etc. A fair copy in rather tired wrappers. More
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
Mexico City: Biblioteca Cientifica (1956). 252pp. One of many such popular books dedicated to sexual issues in the 1950s, with guidance on various prohibited activities, including a discussion of homosexuality. One chapter deals with the sex lives of writers and includes essays on Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Tchaikovsky, Balzac and others. Very good in lightly worn illustrated wrappers. Quite rare. More
Paris. 1 April 1921 (Series B. #2). (20” x 8/5”). 4pp. An unusual publication by the American dancer/poet/printer who settled in Paris in 1911 and printed a number of his own works, including this periodical espousing his philosophies. This edition also includes short works by Han Ryner, Louis Forest and an excerpt from Natalie Barney’s Pensées d'une Amazon. Very good, edges lightly darkened, folded sheet. Rare. More
Golden Cockerel Press. [1933]. Hardcover. One of 325 numbered copies printed by Gibbings in Golden Cockerel type on Batchelor's hand-made paper with seven wood-engravings by Gibbings. A very good copy in morocco-backed decorated cloth, top edge gilt, light bump to one corner. More
Paris: Plon-Nourrit (1912). 64pp. A medical treatise on various aspects of "abnormal" psychology with emphasis on sexuality delivered at a medical conference in Tunis in 1912. Extensive discussion of "inversion" and related matters. Very good in wrappers, endpaper has one small corner clipped. More
Paris: Chez Ladvocat (1825). 2vols. 238pp and 225pp. 2nd ed. One of two important novels published by Duras during her lifetime (the other being Ourika) both of which deal with controversial subjects of marginalized characters and the social pressures which subvert romantic relationships. In Edouard, the story revolves around the son of a worker adopted by a nobleman who falls in love with his adopted sister. Edouard, understanding the impossibility of the misalliance joins the army and seeks death as a solider rather than pursuing the ill-faited romance. Two volumes, each bound in contemporary paper boards and leather spines, adverts at end of second volume, some light rubbing and wear to covers, occasional light spotting. The first edition was issued in a very small edition of 100 copies; this edition is the first edition in commerce. More
NP: ND. One of several collections of erotic novelettes, this edition includes "l'Amateur de femmes bien chaussées" ; "Branlage merdeux"; "Deux aspects de Don Juan: 1) Don Juan se fait Mécanicien and 2) Don Juan joue à l'inverti. Quite uncommon. Very good in original green wrappers, light wear to covers. More
NP: ND. One of several collections of erotic novelettes, this edition includes "l'Amateur de femmes bien chaussées" ; "Branlage merdeux"; "Deux aspects de Don Juan: 1) Don Juan se fait Mécanicien and 2) Don Juan joue à l'inverti. Quite uncommon. Very good in original green wrappers, light wear to covers. More
NP: ND [1911]. This controversial work of pornography contains a chapter on Baron Jacques d'Adelwärd Fersen, which was originally published by the author in 1904 in a pamphlet entitled Les mémoires du Baron Jacques : Lubricités infernales de la noblesse décadente. The author sets forth a rather bizarre and largely spurious account of Fersen and his sexual indiscretions, including alleged trysts with Oscar Wilde, Jean Lorrain, his own mother and assorted others. The original pamphlet was condemned by the Cour d'Assises in 1913 and this version, significantly revised was issued several years later. (see Ogrinc, Frère Jacques: A Shrine to Love and Sorrow). A quite rare publication, we can find no institutional copies. Very good, with original front wrapper present, which includes an original, rather accomplished erotic drawing, plain brown wrappers. The first section includes 72 pages and six chapters, the second section is identified as "Livre III: Deuzième Volume" and consists of 88 pages and six successively numbered chapters and an Epilogue. Pia 1100, 1101; Perceau 287-C, D (who identifies the date of pubication]. More
Hawthorn (Australia). May 1973. The second series of Earth Ship, with contributions by Eigner, Francis Ponge and others. Quite uncommon, good in stapled wraps, light wear to covers and small closed tears. Inscribed by the editor to the poet Paul Mariah inside front wrapper. More
Three vintage still photographs from the film ¡Que viva México!, a project begun in 1930 by the Russian avant-garde director Sergei Eisenstein (1898–1948). Intended as an episodic portrayal of Mexican culture and politics from pre-Conquest civilization to the Mexican revolution, the film was was beset by difficulties and was eventually abandoned. A version of the film was eventually released in 1979 in a highly edited form. Two of these images were published in Kenneth Macpherson's Close Up film review and bear editorial markings and notations in Macpherson's hand. See Eisenstein, The Principles of Film Form, Close Up, Vol. VII #3, p 176; 179. Very good with general wear, one image mounted on a card (the verso image was apparently rejected and bears an X). From the library of Kenneth Macpherson. More
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
London: The University Press (1897). 204pp. The rare suppressed edition of this collaboration between Ellis and Symonds. The second revised English edition with Ellis' Preface dated October 1897. Very few copies were ever circulated (at the behest of Horatio Brown, Symond's executor) and all later editions excised any reference to Symond's participation on the project. A very good copy in dark blue cloth, spine stamped in gilt, corners a bit bumped, covers lightly worn, hinges starting, bookplate on front pastedown. More
Châteauroux ; Paris ; San Juan de Arama : Serge Plantureux, 1998. 30pp. Facsimile edition of this catalogues, issued originally in Paris 1904. Fine in stapled wrappers. Uncommon. More
Medoso, MMMCCCXXXIII [1888]. 75pp. The second edition of this important early document about sodomy, with particular attention to the notorious Deschauffours affair of 1726 wherein Benjamin Deschauffours was burned at the stake in the Place de Grève in Paris for kidnapping boys and selling them to some 200 French aristocrats. The pamphlet depicts Deschauffours ("Fourchuda") as the champion of the oppressed class in Spira ("Paris") who in his zeal in defending a large army of Ebugors ("Buggers") was taken prisoner in the struggle, thrown into the fire by the partisans of the Cytherons (referencing the Greek island of Cythera, traditionally associated with heterosexual love). The pamphlet uses anagrams throughout to disguise its subject matter and supplies a four page key at the end to assist in deconstructing the essay. The pamphlet was originally published in 1733 is quite rare and was routinely banned by censors. Bibliothèque nationale, Enfer, n° 113 - P. Pia, Les Livres de l'Enfer, p. 49. Very good in marbled boards and calf spine, marbled endpapers, original wrappers present, silk page marker, light spotting to endpapers. More
Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press (1950). 56pp. A collection of poetry by the New Orleans native with an introduction by Tennessee Williams. Warmly inscribed by the author to the Neo-Romantic painter Pavel Tchelitchew on front endpaper. Very good in very good jacket, with light rubbing. More
Paris: Librairie Ancienne Honoré Champion (1931). 414pp. An exhaustive study of English decadent literature between 1873-1900, with references to Wilde, the Rhymer's Club, Pater and many others. Very good in original wrappers. More
An extroardinary letter from Rear Admiral David G. Farragut aboard the flagship Hartford at Mobile Bay, Alabama dated September 17, 1864 addressed to Acting Ensign, Robert H. Carey aboard the USS William G. Anderson, concerning the Court Martial of a man on charges of "Scandalous conduct tending to the destruction of good morals". The accused was found guilty of acts of sodomy; in part: "After mature deliberation, the court found the accused Guilty of the Charge and sentenced as follows; viz - 'And the Court do sentence the accused, Geo. W. Curtis, Landsman, to ten years confinement at hard labor in the Parish Prison, New Orleans, La. and to the loss of all pay and freeze money now due, or which may become due to him.' I have approved the sentence of the Court in this case. You will have the prisoner sent in irons by the first opportunity to New Orleans, to be transferred to the proper authorities for confinement. This communication to be read on the Quarter deck of your vessel at general muster." The charge of sodomy had been a capital crime up until 1831, although the military did not specifically outlaw it until 1921. Homosexuality was taboo at the time, and there are very few records of it during the Civil War. No punishments were recorded for any soldiers in the army, and only a few records have been found for sailors who were charged and dismissed from the Navy. Usual mail folds, with toning being darker at the folds, some foxing. Four small strips of tape have been placed along mail folds on interior pages. Some weakness along center fold has resulted in slight separation. Two pages of a bifolium, 7.75" x 10" More
Paris: Ambert [1912]. A collection of short prose works influenced by a trip to the Far East, where he began his use of opium. Included is a revised version of his "L'Extase" which originally appeared in his literary magazine Akademos. Very good in marbled paper boards, wrappers not present. More
London: Privately Printed (1970). Ian Young's English translation of a poem by Fersen from Hymnaire d'Adonis, with a frontispiece illustration by Gaston Goor. One of 5 lettered copies on Japanese paper, this is Timothy d'Arch Smith's copy ("A") inscribed to him by Ian Young. Penciled note by Smith indicating that he was the publisher. Bookplate of d'Arch Smith (by Gaston Goor) on front wrapper. Laid in is an original TLS from Young to Smith proposing the idea of the publication, along with a typescript of the poem and a typed note from Smith. Also laid in are two extracts from one of Smith's (Michael deHartington's) catalogs regarding Fersen. Fine in sewn wrappers. More
Paris (15 Septembre 1909). 169pp. Fersen's short-lived literary magazine courted gay writers and included a number of distinguished literary figures of the period. An uncommon example printed in a presumbably quite small edition on Japon. This copy bears the signature of Fersen's niece, the Marchesa del Castelbianco on front cover. The Marchesa was the daughter of Fersen's sister Germaine and she received the Villa Lysis as a gift from her mother after Fersen's death. Contributions by Boulestin, Peladan, Robert Scheffer, Colette and numerous others. Very good in original slightly browned covers. More
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 (Tocca a la Romanza) relates to Oscar Wilde and Alfred Douglas. One of 500 numbered copies (#121), near fine in decorated wrappers, light browning to covers. Warmly inscribed by Fersen on front endpaper. More
NP:ND [1911-1914]. 88pp. A rare and controversial work of pornography, which includes one chapter entitled "Chez le baron d'Alderswald" which was originally published in 1904 as a pamphlet and condemned by the Cour d'Assises in 1913. The author casts asperions on every one around Fersen: he had intimate relations with Oscar Wilde, Pierre Loti, and Jean Lorrain; he had an incestuous relationship with his mother who took his virginity at an early age; Jacques, in turn, deflowered a number of young boys upon the skeleton of his own mother. The piece ends with Jacques' death in the prison hospital at Fresnes as a result of "a delicate operation on his anus." This version, significantly revised, was issued as part of a series. Very good in 3/4 morocco binding, marbled endpapers, the initials "P.K.M." appear at foot of spine, lightly nicked spine, original wrappers present. Pia (@110) dates this publication to sometime between 1911 and 1914. More