A very rare clandestine publication from Jean Fort, something of a bibliographical mystery, and not much information out there, I am unable to locate a copy in any library, or any history of this title being auctioned. It may simply be that I do not have adequate reference material, but I am asking for any information anyone has about this title. This edition is a great rarity and even more so with a suite of 16 original illustrations. It is likely that the illustrations are “extra” to the book and may have been commissioned by the original owner, they appear contemporary with the book. Cannot establish this for certain unless another copy turns up with these illustrations.

The appears to be some surface debate about which came first, this edition provisionally dated 1911, although it is not actually dated at all, despite someone having penciled 1911 at the foot of the title page, or the clandestine Carrington  English edition dated 1910, which claims to have been translated from the French.

This French edition makes no similar claim to have been translated from the English, so given the confusion (deliberate) created by clandestine publishers, the debate about the chronology may simply be a matter of bibliographers pride.

I hope to be able to provide an update soon, in the meantime enjoy this rarity.

Récits de la Villa Brigitte. Fessées Gaillardes et Authentiques racontées par les membres du club sainte Brigitte, Bibliothèque des Deux Hémisphères [ Jean Fort ], collection Cressida, s.d. [1911?]. 2 Volumes in original neutral paper covers. Title of each volume on spine, pp 139, 155+ table. (19 x 12 cm).16 colour plates (unsigned) tipped in, each plate (excepting the first) are indexed against the appropriate volume, i.e. VB 1, VB 2, along with the page number the image is paired with. The illustrations are more explicit than the usual flagellation themes.

Covers

Originally published as: Tales of Villa Brigitte. Translated from the French by M. A. Oxon, London & Melbourne [Paris], H.-J. Vicar, Sons and Co [ Charles Carrington ], 1910. About the translator, the catalog of the Kinsey Institute indicates: “Identification of translator with Moses William Stainton, who used the same pseudonym is uncertain.”

Spines

Sample text

Illustrations

 

---

Volume 2

The Illustrations

Table

---

---

See Also

Books for Trade: Au bord du lit. Stances: Alexandre de Vérineau, [d.i. Louis Perceau]. Published by Erotopolis, à l’Enseigne des Bacchantes [d.i. Paris, Maurice Duflou], 1927 Illustrées de onze eaux-fortes originales par Lucas. O [d.i. |Luc Lafnet|]: