This Book

This for me was a major find, just to be very clear from the start, this is a listing for the first volume of a two volume edition. Available bibliographical information only indicates two volumes bound as one, and implies that the book was issued in boards,   this is true of , Guacamole, Mendes and The Erotica Bibliophile. From Mendes(138 (A)), he appears to have seen the book as he quotes at length from the introduction.

However all three appear to be referring to the same copy, or a copy of a different limitation Complete in 2 vols of 100 copies produced without the illustrated cover.

As proved by this book, it was issued in two separate volumes, and especially given the magnificently lurid cover illustration of this original paperback, this still leaves me with the problem of locating the second volume, which at only 145 pages on India paper would be very slender indeed, and presumably would have the same cover illustration?

illustration with signature

Incidentally the cover illustration is signed but I cannot decipher the name.

Bibliographical Description

MEMOIRS | OF A | RUSSIAN | BALLET GIRL | BY | THE AUTHOR OF “THE CALLIPYGES” | VOLUME 1 (2) | [decoration] | MONTE CARLO | FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY | 1901

12.7cm. x 19.05cm. Two volumes in one [w/2 title pages]. pp. ix + 222, i + 145. Limited edition of 350 copies probably printed by Theime. Copy seen printed on India paper. Also issued on hand-made paper. Title pages printed in red and black.

A French edition was published by Carrington in 1905 as Mémories d’une Danseuse Russe. Previously published in 1892 by Brancart [under the imprint “sous les gleries du Palais Royal”] as Memoires d’une Danseuse Russe written by E.D. Later re-published in 3 volumes by Hirsch in 1903 [See Mendes: 138-B]. Although Desjardins may be a pseudonym used by Edmund Dumoulin, Mendes argues in his notes to 137-A that Dumoulin and Desjardins may in fact be two different people, with Desjardins the author of flagellation themed novels. Only these E.D./Desjardin texts were translated into English.

(Kinsey: 843.7 E22 m5E 1901. Mendes: 138-A)

Whilst on the subject of different editions, there is speculation as to who E.D, was , with two names apparently sharing the acronym, along with whether in fact there is a direct relationship between the various French and English editions. You can puzzle this out for yourself by following the link below. My thanks to my friend and mentor Pat Kearney

Scissors and Paste (Pat K) Toward a Bibliography of ” E. D.

A clandestinely published edition

One thing I can say with some certainty is that the Carrington editions do differ significantly, the English language edition (this one) is a violent pornographic novel, whereas the French language edition:- “Mémories d’une Danseuse Russe” 1905. retains the flagellation scenes from that English edition but is expurgated of all sexual descriptions.

Title Page

Anon, Memoirs of a Russian Ballet Girl by the author of Callipyges, Monte Carlo  for Private Circulation Only, 1901,  Vol 1 .XII ‘ 222 pp. Only three hundred and fifty copies printed for private subscribers. Printed on India paper.  In original illustrated paper covers, which are in fragile condition with some loss. Contents are uncut, complete and in very good condition.

Limitation page

Sample Text

Back outer cover

Uncut pages

Unfortunately despite, the obvious evidence of decorative chapter headings and capitals, it is not possible to display more examples because the pages are uncut and will remain so whilst in my possession. This paper is extremely thin and verging on transparent.

See Also

Charles Carrington Collection: Jean de Villiot; La Flagellation Amoureuse. Charles Carrington , Paris 1904, illustrations by Martin van Maele.

Any questions or especially any information regarding the second volume of this edition;-