After another long absence, I return with some very rare ephemera from the Paris Olympia Press. Listed here only briefly, I will post more detailed descriptions if there is any interest.
I shall in the coming days post some more illustrated erotica, in particular some material from the now defunct Erotic Print Society.
I am still considering letting my Olympia Press collection go to a new home, but in the mean time I continue to seek the few missing items.
The New Paris Teaser
The New Stripteaser
Olympia Press Catalogue 1960
The above items are all rare, but none so rare as the New Stripteaser, no copy has ever been in any of the major collections, and at the time the last bibliography as released, it was only identified as having been mentioned in a catalogue.
The Burroughs 1960 catalogue, is now a rarity because of the Burroughs connection.
I am still seeking 2 Teasers, “The Paris Teaser” and “Paris Exotique”, the English and French versions of the same publication.
As I have often mentioned before, the ephemera is the biggest challenge in trying to complete a collection. I am always delighted to find a catalogue. This one used to be quite common. I am always happy to be offered any similar items.
Below is a variant of the 1956 catalogue, with a link to my original listing. Same item but a different colour banner, orange instead of purple.
Having suffered a stroke last year, I was forced to consider what would happen to my collection should I die. A serious enough issue, given tales of shark like dealers descending on the recently bereaved and picking off the prized items from remaining partners who have no idea of what to do with the books, and even less idea of the potential value.
This is especially true of erotica as there is an understandable embarrassment, attached to such material, especially illustrated books, and I have heard of some such material being destroyed to avoid having to deal with it, and though this is perhaps the best disposal for modern pornography, this is less of a problem with my Paris Olympia Press collection as they are 99% without illustrations.
Having explored possible methods of disposal, I had been in negotiation with Bonhams of London with a view to the collection going to auction this June, when a combination of my own health issues and an extended family crisis prevented me from cataloguing the books, a task that Bonhams offered to cover, but I really wanted to complete myself.
So i find myself delaying the selling of the collection, and almost immediately other items turn up, within the past month or so, I have obtained a catalogue that I do not have a copy of, one of the missing Teaser magazines and a much improved copy of “The Castle of the end of Love”, a very hard to find Ophelia Press title.
I must admit to a sense of relief at still having the collection, as after so many decades of collecting the loss would be hard to take. It my be that I will reconsider next year, which gives me more time to locate the few missing items that would allow me to complete. Which also means that I will continue with this site, given that its sworn purpose is to assist with completing my Paris Olympia collection, something that is easy to forget, given that the vast majority of the books that I list are nothing to do with the Olympia Press at all.
So to give me a reason to carry on, please remember to look out for Paris Olympia material for me. And if you have any erotica (not photographic pornography please) that you want rid of then complete a contact form and I may be able to assist.
Below is an image of my Paris Olympia Press collection as of today. Coming soon recent finds and some very rare illustrated erotica.
After a long break from the blog, I am back in action more because of circumstances than by plan, but determined to make the most of my enforced idleness, I am updating material related to the collection and still seeking the few items that I do not have. Alongside this I am gathering the rare and obscure and hopefully bizzare items from around the web, to keep the semi-literate amongst you amused.
So just to remind you that the dedicated purpose of this blog is to provide access to information and images from erotica of all types, for free and to people who might not otherwise ever have sight of these books. But the primary purpose is to complete this Paris Olympia Press collection, and now that I need so few book titles, i am very keen to find the ephemera, for example catalogues, flyers, communication on headed paper, busines cards or anything associated with The Paris Olympia Press. l regularly update on new material coming into the collection, and list items that I am looking for under Books Wanted.
Here is an image of the collection in its latest state, please keep looking, If you have an item that you think might be of interest please use the contact form to get in touch.
For me this is exactly what I have been looking for, in a very good year for extremely rare items to complete my collection, here is one item that is amazing to find, and is the real justification for this Blog.
Prospectus for ‘Watt’ a novel in English by Samuel Beckett. Collection Merlin 1953. 12mo. Single sheet prospectus. Fine condition.
An ongoing list of titles, for sale on reading material which I know is a downer for you lot as it means no pictures. However moving this stuff allows me to purchase all the books with pictures which you get to see FREE. There are a lot of US Oylmpia titles, which I do not collect, but someone must. And a number of Paris Olympia titles which I will feed in a few at a time. Anyway take a look, sorry to interrupt your freeloading, or should I say free downloading behaviour.
The final title to complete my Atlantic Library set. An important addition to the collection, and increasingly difficult to find. Like other titles in the New into the Collection category this title is not for sale or trade.
4.7.1 THE CARNAL DAYS OF HELEN SEFERIS
Frances Lengel [Alexander Trocchi], 1954 FRANCES LENGEL | THE CARNAL DAYS | of | HELEN SEFERIS | THE ATLANTIC LIBRARY | published by |THE OLYMPIA PRESS | 13, rue Jacob, Paris Collation: 192 pp. [1]-128. 17.6 x 11.4 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper. Contents: pp. [1-4] blank. p. [5] THE CARNAL DAYS |of | HELEN SEFERIS, reverse blank. p. [7] title, as above. p. [8] Printed in France | [rule] | Copyright 1954 | by The Olympia Press, Paris. p. [9] Introductory note. p. [10] blank. pp. 11-183, text. p. [184] blank. pp. [185,6], catalogue of all ten volumes of The Atlantic Library series, with descriptive matter for each. p. [187] PRINTED MAY 1954 | BY IMPRIMERIE RICHARD, PARIS | Dépôt légal : 2e. trimestre 1954. pp. [188-192] blank.
Binding: Orange wrappers, trimmed flush. Front cover: [printed in black and all contained within a white oblong frame matching proportions of book:] FRANCES LENGEL | THE | CARNAL DAYS | OF | HELEN | SEFERIS | THE ATLANTIC LIBRARY‘.
Spine: [lettered in white up spine, and all within a black panel:] THE CARNAL DAYS | [in white across bottom of spine:] 7.
Back cover: [in black:] FRANCS : 660 | NOT TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE U.K. OR U.S.A.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL Description provided courtesy of Patrick Kearney The Paris Olympia Press. The Liverpool University Press 2007.
An important addition to the collection, and increasingly difficult to find. Like other titles in the New into the Collection category this title is not for sale or trade.
4.6.1 YOUNG ADAM Frances Lengel [Alexander Trocchi], 1954
FRANCES LENGEL | YOUNG ADAM | THE ATLANTIC LIBRARY | published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | 13, rue Jacob, Paris Collation: 192 pp. [1]-128. 17.8 x 11.3 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper.Contents: pp. [1,2] blank. p. [3] YOUNG ADAM. p. [4] THE ATLANTIC LIBRARY | LATEST VOLUMES | 1. THREE PASSIONATE LOVERS … | by René Roques | 2. HELEN AND DESIRE … by Frances Lengel | 3. LADIES AT NIGHT … by René Roques | 4. LUST … by Count Palmiro Vicarion | 5. MEMOIRS OF A WOMAN OF PLEASURE | by John Cleland | 6. YOUNG ADAM … by Frances Lengel | 7. THE CARNAL DAYS OF HELEN SEFERIS | by Frances Lengel |8. AN ADULTS STORY … by Robert Desmond | 10. MY LIFE AND LOVES (fifth volume) … | by Frank Harris| For complete catalogues | of Atlantic Library volumes and other titles, | Apply to: The Olympia Press | 13 rue Jacob, Paris, France.. p. [5] title, as above. p. [6] Printed in France [rule] Copyright 1954 | by the Olympia Press, Paris. p. [7] PART ONE. p. [8] blank. pp. 9-81, text. p. [82] blank. p. [83] PART TWO. p. [84] blank. pp. 85-144, text. p. [145] PART THREE. p. [146] blank. pp. 147-[190], text with, at foot of p. [190], printing details: PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] | Printed April 1954 by Imprimerie Richard, Paris | Dépôt légal : 2e trimestre 1954 . pp. [191-192] blank. Binding: Orange wrappers, trimmed flush.
Front cover: [printed in black and all contained within a white oblong frame matching proportions of book:] FRANCES LENGEL | YOUNG | ADAM | THE ATLANTIC LIBRARY.
Spine: [lettered in white up spine, and all within a black panel:] YOUNG ADAM | [in white across bottom of spine:] 6.
Back cover: [in black:] FRANCS : [660] | NOT TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE U.K. OR U.S.A. | PRINTED IN FRANCE.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL Description provided courtesy of Patrick Kearney The Paris Olympia Press. The Liverpool University Press 2007.
The latest batch of my Traveller’s Companion duplicates, as always available for trade against any of my Paris Olympia Press wants or any other rare or interesting items of erotica that might enhance the listing. All images are of actual books from my personal collection. The bibliographical description is courtesy of Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press, The Liverpool University Press. 2007, Index Numbers (example 4.41.1 are the actual location of the description in the bibliography)
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS BY POSTING A COMMENT.
5.51.1 THE WHITE PAPER Anonymous [Jean Cocteau?], 1957
TC 51 The (A) White Paper
ANONYMOUS | THE | WHITE | PAPER | With a Preface and Illustrations | by | JEAN COCTEAU | de l‘Académie Française | THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES |published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | 7, Rue Saint-Séverin – Paris-5
Collation: 104 pp. 1-10,[11],12,[13]4. 17.6 x 11.0 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper. Contents: pp. [i-iv] blank. p. [1] THE | WHITE PAPER, reverse blank. p. [3] title, as above, reverse blank. pp. 5-9, Preface, signed by Jean Cocteau. p. [10] blank. pp. 11-46, text. p. [47] illustration. pp. 48-58, text. p. [59] illustration. pp. 60-68, text. p. [69] illustration. pp. 70-84, text. p. [85] illustration. pp. 86-88, text. p. [89] illustration. pp. 90-[94], text. p. [95] PRINTED | IN PARIS, | JULY 1957, | BY IMPRIMERIE MAZARINE, | FOR | THE OLYMPIA PRESS. | Dépôt légal : 3e trimestre 1957 | [rule] | Printed in France. pp. [96-100] blank. Binding: Olive-green wrappers, printed in black and trimmed flush with body of the book. [Front cover; within a frame of two borders, the outer consisting of fine linked chain of type device in black, and the inner a thin band of white edged in black:] [three evenly spaced five-pointed black stars] | A [sic] | WHITE | PAPER | With a Preface | and illustrations by | JEAN COCTEAU | no 51 | THE | TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES. [Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the series no. in horizontal digits at bottom and title lettered vertically up spine:] 51 [-] A [sic] WHITE PAPER. [Back cover, at bottom right-hand corner:] Francs : 1.200.
Notes: (1) The translation is by Austryn Wainhouse, as revealed in a letter from Mr. Wainhouse to the compiler dated February 29th 1992. In addition to the five full-page illustrations indicated above in the collation, there are four in-text illustrations which appear on pp. 17, [25], 35, [77]. (2) A copy in the collection of Mr William Ashley is in an altered state with a black sticker over the original price indicating a price increase to NF 18. Mr Steve Mullins of London, reports a copy in an altered state with the price overstamped NF18. (3) The original edition of Le Livre blanc was published at Paris in 1928 by Maurice Sachs and Jacques Bonjean, in an edition of just twenty-one copies. No author’s name was given. Two years later, an edition with seventeen illustrations credited to Cocteau was published, but the text remained anonymous. (4) Suppressed on May 14th, 1959 under the decree of May 1939 (article 14 of the law of July 29th 1881 sur la liberté de la presse), designed to combat politically and morally offensive périodiques et ouvrages de provenance étrangère.
One Copy Very Good, full description of condition and extra images on request.
5.52.2 JULIETTE Vol. I D.-A.-F. De Sade, 1962
TC 52 Juliette Vol 1 1962
[Within a green border of type ornament:] DONATIEN-ALDONSE-FRANÇOIS | MARQUIS DE SADE | THE STORY OF | JULIETTE | OR VICE | AMPLY REWARDED | being a English rendering | from the French by | Pieralessandro Casavini, | in five volumes. | VOLUME ONE | THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES | published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | [breaking the border:] 7, Rue Saint-Séverin, Paris
Collation: 288 pp. 52.1-52.188. 17.5 x 11.2 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper. Contents: pp. [1,2] blank. p. [3] .JULIETTE.. p. [4] .All rights relative to this English version | of \Juliette. are reserved by the Publishers. | Copyright c by The Olympia Press, 1962.. p. [5] title, as above, reverse blank. pp. 7-[285] text. p. [286] blank. p. [287] .PRINTED IN FRANCE | by Imprimerie Moderne du Lion, Paris. July 1962. | [rule] | Depot legal : 3e trimestre 1962.. p. [288] blank. Binding: Olive-green wrappers, printed in black, and trimmed flush with body of the book. [Front cover; within a frame of two borders, the outer consisting of fine linked chain of type device in black, and the inner a thin band of white edged in black:] .D. A. F. DE SADE | THE STORY | OF | JULIETTE | VOLUME ONE | no 52 | THE | TRAVELLER’S COMPANION |SERIES.. [Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the series no. in horizontal digits at bottom and title lettered vertically up spine:] .52 [-] THE STORY OF JULIETTE.. [Back cover, at bottom right-hand corner:] .18 N. F. | NOT TO BE SOLD | IN U.S.A. & U.K.. Notes: .Pierelessandro Casavini. is the pseudonym of Austryn Wainhouse.
2 Copies both Very Good, Extra images and full description on request
5.53.1 JULIETTE Vol. II D.-A.-F. De Sade, 1959
TC 53 Juliette Vol 2 1959
[Within a green border of type ornament:] DONATIEN•ALDONSE•FRANÇOIS | MARQUIS DE SADE |THE STORY OF | JULIETTE | OR VICE | AMPLY REWARDED | being a English rendering | from the French by |Pieralessandro Casavini, | in five volumes. | VOLUME TWO |THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES | published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | [breaking the border:] 7, rue Saint-Séverin, Paris 5
Collation: 272 pp. 53.1-52.178. 17.3 x 11.0 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper. Contents: pp. [1,2] blank. p. [3] JULIETTE. p. [4] PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] | Copyright by The Olympia Press, Paris, France 1959. p.[5] title, as above, reverse blank. pp. 7-[268] text. p. [269] PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] | Printed July 1959 by S.I.P., Montreuil, France | Dépôt légal : 3e trimestre 1959. pp. [270-272] blank. Binding: Olive-green wrappers, printed in black, and trimmed flush with body of the book. [Front cover; within a frame of two borders, the outer consisting of fine linked chain of type device in black, and the inner a thin band of white edged in black:] D. A. F. DE SADE | THE STORY | OF | JULIETTE | VOLUME TWO | no 53 | THE | TRAVELLER’S COMPANION |SERIES. [Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the series no. in horizontal digits at bottom and title lettered vertically up spine:] 53 * * [-] THE STORY OF JULIETTE. [Back cover, at bottom right-hand corner:] Francs : 1.500. Notes: Pierelessandro Casavini is the pseudonym of Austryn Wainhouse.
Two Copies one Very Good one Good Plus. Detailed description of condition and extra images on request.
5.54.1 JULIETTE Vol. III D.-A.-F. De Sade, 1960
TC54 Juliette Vol 3 1960
[Within a green border of type ornament:] DONATIEN-ALDONSE-FRANÇOIS, | MARQUIS DE SADE | THE STORY OF | JULIETTE | OR VICE | AMPLY REWARDED | being a English rendering | from the French by | Pieralessandro Casavini, | in six volumes. | VOLUME THREE | THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES | published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | [breaking the border:] 7 rue Saint-Séverin, Paris 5
One Copy Very Good, full description of condition and extra images on request.
5.55.1 JULIETTE Vol. IV D.-A.-F. De Sade, 1960
TC 55 Juliette Vol 4 1960
[Within a green border of type ornament:] DONATIEN•ALDONSE•FRANÇOIS, | MARQUIS DE SADE |THE STORY OF | JULIETTE | OR VICE | AMPLY REWARDED | being a English rendering | from the French by |Pieralessandro Casavini, | in six volumes. | VOLUME FOUR |THETRAVELLERřS COMPANION | SERIES | published by | [breaking the border:] THE OLYMPIA PRESS | 7 rue Saint-Séverin, Paris 5
4 copies 2 very good 2 Good. Extra Images and full description of condition on request.
5.56.1 JULIETTE Vol. V D.-A.-F. De Sade, 1961
TC 56 Juliette Vol 5 1961
[Within a green border of type ornament:] DONATIEN-ALDONSE-FRANÇOIS, | MARQUIS DE SADE | THE STORY OF | JULIETTE | OR VICE | AMPLY REWARDED | being a English rendering | from the French by | Pieralessandro Casavini, | in six volumes. | VOLUME FIVE | THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES | published by | [breaking the border:] THE OLYMPIA PRESS | 7 rue Saint-Séverin, Paris 5
Two Copies about GOOD. Full description of condition and extra images on request.
5.57.1 JULIETTE Vol. VI D.-A.-F. De Sade, 1964
TC 57 Juliette Vol 6 1964
[Within a green border of type ornament:] DONATIEN-ALDONSE-FRANÇOIS, | MARQUIS DE SADE | THE STORY OF | JULIETTE | OR VICE | AMPLY REWARDED | being a English rendering | from the French by | Pieralessandro Casavino [sic] & John Crombie, | in seven volumes. | VOLUME SIX | THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES | published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | [breaking the border:] 7, rue Saint-Séverin, Paris 5
1 Copy Very Good + , Extra images and details of condition on request.
5.59.1 DISSOLVING Tim Harrack, 1958
TC 59 Dissolving 1958
[Within a green border of type ornament:] TIM HARRACK |DISSOLVING | THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES | published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | [breaking the border:] 7, rue Saint-Severin, Paris
Collation: 192 pp. 59.1 – 59.128. 17.6 x 11.1 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper. Contents: pp. [1,2] blank. p. [3] DISSOLVING. p. [4] [rule] | All right reserved by The Olympia Press Paris France. p. [5] title, as above, reverse blank. pp. 7-[187] text. p. [188] blank. p. [189] PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] | Printed March 1958 by S.I.P., Montreuil, France | Dépôt légal : 1er trimestre 1958. pp. [190-192] blank.Binding: Olive-green wrappers, printed in black, and trimmed flush with body of the book. [Front cover; within a frame of two borders, the outer consisting of fine linked chain of type device in black, and the inner a thin band of white edged in black:] TIM HARRACK | DISSOLVING | no 59 | THE | TRAVELLER’S COMPANION | SERIES. [Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the series no. in horizontal digits at bottom and title lettered vertically up spine:] 59 [-] DISSOLVING. [Back cover, at bottom right-hand corner:] Francs : 1.200. Notes: Suppressed on May 14th, 1959 under the decree of May 1939 (article 14 of the law of July 29th 1881 sur la liberté de la presse), designed to combat politically and morally offensive périodiques et ouvrages de provenance étrangère.
2 Copies one Near Fine one Very Good Plus. Detailed description of condition and extra images on request.
5.60.1 I HEAR VOICES Paul Ableman, 1957
TC 60 I Hear Voices
[Within a green border of type ornament:] PAUL ABLEMAN |I | HEAR | VOICES | THE TRAVELLER’S COMPANION |SERIES | published by | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | [breaking the border:] 7, rue Saint-Séverin, Paris 5
Collation: 224 pp. No signatures, but [1-14]8. 17.3 x 11.3 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper.
Contents: pp. [1,2] blank. p. [3] I | HEAR | VOICES, reverse blank. p. [5] title, as above. p. [6] PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] | All rights reserved by The Olympia Press, Paris | COPYRIGHT 1958. p. [7] Until, gentlemen, you decide | further what my occupation is, you | may as well announce me as com- | forting 35 whirlpools below sound. | A Schizophrenic. p. [8] blank. pp. 9-[219] text. p. [220] blank. p. [221] PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] | Printed December 1957 by S.I.P., Montreuil, France | Dépôt légal : 4e trimestre 1957 pp. [222-224] blank. Binding: bound in green cloth boards, with red endpapers and with black paper labels on spine and front cover, printed in gold and white. Label on front cover measures 5.2 x 8.2 cm. and has a gold border decorated in black with the same type ornament used on the titlepage: [in gold] PAUL ABLEMAN | [in white] I HEAR VOICES | [in gold] THE OLYMPIA PRESS, PARIS. Label on spine measures 5.0 x 2.4 cm. and is similarly decorated, but at top and bottom only: [in gold] ABLEMAN | [in white] I | HEAR | VOICES | [in gold] OLYMPIA. Published in a matt, grey-blue dustjacket with an abstract design on the front in red, black, yellow, white and orange. The author’s name, title of the book and publisher on spine and front of wrapper in black and white. The inside flaps of the dustjacket contain an anonymous review of synopsis of the novel, together with advertisments for Molloy and Watt, two books by Samuel Beckett also published by the Olympia Press. At the bottom of the back inside flap of the dustjacket is printed the information that book was distributed in the United Kingdom by Zwemmer, a well-known art bookshop in London’s Charing Cross Road. Notes: As yet unkown in the conventional green-wrappered Traveller’s Companion format; indeed, its number within the series is not to be found in the book, but is taken from Olympia advertisments where it is listed as number 60 of the series. No price appears on any copies that have been examined, but Olympia Press catalogues list it variously at 15 and 18 NF.
2 Copies both very good
To view earlier listing (lower numbers) click link below
Well a significant amount of progress has been made but still some way to go, I am continuing to list both Olympia press and other erotica for trade and a decreasing number of wants, but enjoying it very much, despite my shy and rather silent readership. See below for the collection as it stands today, and with a few more items on the way, its getting better every day.
