The Select-Bibliothèque was one of several publishing houses specializing in fetish material that flourished in Paris during the first half of the twentieth century. Like the others, notably Jean Fort’s ‘Orties Blanches’ series and the ‘Librairie Artistique et Editions Parisiennes Reunies’ of Paul Brenet, the books of the Select Bibliothèque were published openly. Occasionally a title would cross some mysterious line and be prosecuted, but in general, since there was no sex in the conventional sense, these publishers were left to their devices by the authorities.
Despite the openness of these books, the publisher of the Select Bibliothèque remains unknown, at least to this cataloguer. Paul Jérôme writes of Don Brennus Aléra as being “un (ou plusieurs) des pourvoyeurs de l’editeur parisien Massy…”(Dictionnaire des œuvres érotiques, Paris: Mercure de France,1971, p. 484). In fact, Massy was where the earliest books in the series were published. The almost anagramitic similarity of the names of the authors of most of the books – Bernard Valonnes, Don Brennus Aléra, Roland Brevannes – suggests a single hand at work, and one that spanned in excess of 30 years. And it might not be unreasonable to think that the author was also the publisher.
For detailed information of the authors and series follow the link.
NOTE: The entry for this particular book is incorrect.
Scissors and Paste Select Biliotheque
Books for Sale, Aléra, Don Brennus. Le Journal d’une flagellée, Select-Bibliothèque, Sceaux (Seine) 1909.illustrated by Tack.
In original publishers, thin paper covers illustrated by Tack, in rust brown and green with black and white lettering, No 15 in bottom RH corner, title author and series with number printed in green on spine. Select Bibliotheque motif in red and green on back cover. Total, 148 pages, (List of 54 titles and 6 English language variant titles, on verso of Half title) (inc editors note), plus 8 full page illustrations by Tack in pairs on facing pages.(19 x 12.5 cm)
Paper covers ill fitting but fixed, splitting to cover at back, tail of spine, general wear. Extraordinarily rare in any condition and even more so complete.
illustrations by Tack
This Book is for Sale
Aléra, Don Brennus. Le Journal d’une flagellée, Select-Bibliothèque, Sceaux (Seine) 1909.illustrated by Tack.
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