Max des Vignons, Betty Passionnée. Orné de quatre eaux-fortes originales de G. Smit, Librairie Artistique Paris, 1923. In original publishers illustrated cover printed in blue and red. 199 pages + four loose illustrations. General wear to covers about good.
Rare erotic work of the 1930s, signed by a certain Claude de Launies, a pseudonym behind which Renée Dunan (1892-1936 or 1944), a pioneer of the feminine, or perhaps Johannès Gros (?-1936/37) could hide. The book was published by Maurice DUFLOU (1885-1951), who used for the occasion a fictitious cover, “Sous le signe du grand écart”. It follows the sexual adventures of a young American woman, Marjorie. It is set on the ocean liner “Normandy”, on which she embarked from New York, that she will be seduced by a stranger, before perfecting her sexual knowledge in Paris where, as she says, she intends to “learn love”. For, you imagine, to believe the books and her friends, it would only be in Paris that we know how to dress… and undress.” The clichés have a hard life… Whether or not Paris deserves its reputation as the capital of love, Marjorie will have fun in every sense of the word: sodomy, lesbianism, sadomasochism, several affairs, “tester” of lovers for a Countess, etc. Almost everything goes with delight! Pleasant curiosa, fun and well written enough for the genre.
Title Page and Limitation
CROISIÈRE AMOUREUSE, roman érotique de Claude de LAUNIES, illustré en couleurs – EO, New-York – Paris, Sous le signe du grand écart [Maurice Dulflou], New York – Paris [Paris], no date, printing [around 1937] paperback, in-8 (about 21.5 H x 15 L cm) – (3 ff.) – 151-[1] – (1 ff.) cream-coloured textured wraps titled in blue; on front cover only, over plain card covers. With 12 free compositions in colours, unsigned, 12 off-texts (approx. 16.8 H x 11.2 L cm with about 8 mm bowls; drawings of approx. 15 H x 9.5 L cm) Text decorated with 9 wood cuts in bistre / red, attributed by Dutel to Louis BERTHOMMÉ SAINT-ANDRÉ (1905-1977) 2 headings (the first repeated five times; the second, four times), 6 cul-de-lamps and 1 title sticker. 120/ 350 ex. of the current print on velin pur fil.
Condition: Cover/ shirt: a little shabby, with some smudges.. There are various small spots or freckles on the first plate, and several smudges, especially at the back head (which seems to have been glued) and at the top right on the second plate, at the level of an old tear (about 4 cm) that has been (mischievously) restored (glued and paper inside). In addition, small slits in the head and tail of the back (about 2 cm and 1 cm). Brown traces of adhesive on the inner covers (likely adhesives of an old protection), with a slight transfer on the half title and the last page (see images) . Top slice a little dusty. Otherwise, nice overall freshness, generally clean if not a few small freckles isolated or discharges on some sheets: p. 8-10 (8 mm), 27 (gutter), 62-64 (lower corners), 70, p. 79, p. 88 – Text may be slightly affected (p. 8-10 or p. 88), but engravings are spared. A small line of zig-zag ink (8 mm) p. 119 at the gutter
20. LAUNIES, (Claude de). – Croisière amoureuse.
New York, Paris, sous le signe du Grande Ecart [c.
1937]. 8vo. pp. 152. Twelve colour plates and many
culs-de-lampe, the latter being designed by Berthommé
Saint-André. Limited to 352 copies. [No repository
copies located, but cited in the important “Curiosa”
auction held at Nouveau Drouot on March 11th 1987,
lot no. 70. Dutel, no. 1317.]
To offer information or pose any questions, please complete the contact form.
A slight diversion back into the world of clandestine publishing. This one has some familiar features around the structure of the title page and the printers motif, but I am hesitant to attribute it to a particular publisher without a little more research. Perhaps one of you knows who the guilty party was?
I have seen this one listed for sale elsewhere with 10 illustrations, and in fact Dutel sees only 10 illustrations, there are in fact 11, one being the frontispiece, as the images below will evidence.
Title Page
ANON; SÉDUCTION. Jeunes amours. Avec des gravures sur cuivre par un artiste célèbre. Published by Aux dépens d’un amateur, pour le profit de quelques autres, MCXXXIX (1939). No Publisher, printed 30th April 1939. In original pink card sleeve and slipcase, 143 p. 24.5 x 20 cm. Loose sheets, White cover with title printed in red, Inner envelope with colour illustrated frontispiece, limitation 49/99, Title page printed in red and black with printers motif medallion printed in red. 10 loose full page illustrations, with very delicate hand coloured etchings. Chapter headings decorated in red and black, black motif chapter endings. Pink Cover and sleeve show signs of use and some discolouration, contents clean and bright with all 11 colour illustrations. Complete Very Good.
ANON; SÉDUCTION. Jeunes amours. Avec des gravures sur cuivre par un artiste célèbre. Published by Aux dépens d’un amateur, pour le profit de quelques autres, MCXXXIX (1939)
This Book
Any information regarding publisher or artist, please complete the Contact Form.
Previously listed in a rebound copy, listed again here for completeness sake with the original covers displayed. With all the illustrations, superbly executed (no pun), by Herric:- (Chéri Hérouard)
Chéri Hérouard (1881-1961) was a French artist and illustrator of numerous erotica and spanking novels. He used the pseudonym Herric when he illustrated spanking novels for various French publishing houses, such as Jean Fort’s Collection des Orties Blanches. And as evidenced by these titles also, Editions Prima.
Yet another accidental off shoot of my collecting activity, I found one of these titles and then set out to locate others, they are rather beautiful things and despite the subject matter, which even some erotic bibliophiles disapprove of, most were not prosecuted at time of publication and only really became the subject of censorship when reprinted , mainly in the 1950’s
Title Page
Matée par le fouet: Jean Martinet, Éditions Prima, 1930. Cover and 12 full page engraved plates by Herric. 252 pages. Printed by Imprimerie Tessier, Romainville 32 Rue de Paris (ND) 1930?.(20 x 13.5 cm)
In original pale blue, Illustrated publishers card covers. Overall very good condition. Extremely rare.
The Illustrations
Any questions or information about the artist, or especially the publisher, please leave a comment or complete a contact form.
Another title from the “Vidal” stable of of bookshops and publishers, which was composed of,- Les éditions du Couvre-feu : éditions d’Antin, éditions du Chevet, édition Curio, éditions Georges de Cayla, éditions Idéal, éditions de Minuit, éditions Richepanse & Le Jardin d’Eros.
It appears common for Editions d’Antin titles to be issued as clandestine, some without even printer details, as this copy. The single identifying factor, is the calligraphic motif on all the covers, it could be an L or a Z or even a stylised whip? This publishers or printers mark is sometimes the only way to link a title to an originator.
As this is not an illustrated title it is relatively easy to list, with only a little research, it is of interest to the serious erotic bibliophile, because it is a clandestine title that does not appear to have been identified as such in the major bibliographies. For bibliographic information see. Les éditions du couvre-feu, Christophe Bier, editions Astarte 2013.
Title Page
Lady Impéria, Les Égarements d’un Asservi. No publisher. No date but Editions d’Antin (c 1936). In 8 (14.3 x 22.7 cm) 179 pp. In original beige card covers printed in black and red, original price of 60 Francs on cover and spine, which also has author and title printed in black, plain back cover. Light rubbing to front cover otherwise amazingly well preserved and complete, a very good copy of a very rare title.
Front Cover
Spine
Back Cover
Sample Text
bibliographic Information and synopsis, courtesy of Christophe Bier
I have taken the liberty of attempting to translate the synopsis from the French (Image above), Any mistakes are mine alone and I offer apologies in advance , both to Christophe and anyone taking the trouble to read this.
(The title roughly translates as ” The Errors of a Slave”)
“”The financier Robert Brot-Gillières, bearer of the Legion of Honor, gravitates around the perverse masseuses and the flogging houses. In search of new thrills, he lets himself be manhandled by two ordinary women, Mrs. Voulay and her fifteen-year-old niece. Mathilde, They understand the financial gain they can derive from him, by treating him as a slave. Changed by his masochism, the man becomes extremely unpleasant to his wife. Intrigued by this change of character, Simone, her daughter-in-law, refers to Miss Diana, a professor of physical culture who commences to initiate him into Sapphism and fantasies of flagellation. After having dismissed the two greedy battleaxes, the Professor confuses the masochist by delivering him to two masked flagellants … Simone and her mother! “Unmask” added Madame Brot-Gillières with scathing irony, “the voluptuous Robert will not need to look for sensations elsewhere: he will have his whippers at home!” “
Anyone prepared to offer a more accurate translation, please do so by completing a contact form, your name will only be used if you so wish.
Comments always welcome and are positively encouraged as are “Likes”
This is one I have wanted to be able to list for ages, as I really like the illustrations, and I hope you do too.
Alfred de Musset, Gamiani ou Deux Nuits d’Excès Clandestine edition Published by Aux dépens des deux cent cinquante amis de l’époque romantique. S.d. [vers 1950]
At the expense of the two hundred and fifty friends of the romantic era. S.d. [circa 1950] 1 volume in-4 (24.5 x 19 cm), in sheets , 44- (1) pages. 12 illustrations inset in color, 13/250 limited edition, not put on the market. The drawings are beautifully made. Reference: Dutel, Bibliography of erotic works published clandestinely in French between 1920 and 1970, n ° 1657 (which does not indicate any name of illustrator or publisher).Original paper cover over plain card wraps (some tearing to fine paper cover,see images), in sheets 44 pages and 12 coloured illustrations, complete.
First of a selection of recent acquisitions, amusing myself whilst I try to prepare my collection for auction, which is a very tedious and time consuming exercise. Enjoy!
Dialogues ou Petites scenes amoureuses, Pierre. Lorient [i.e., Paris]: Les Editions sous le Manteau, 1943., 1943. Quarto. 19.5 x 25.5 c.m. 124, [2] pp. With twelve full-page erotic illustrations, inset black, very free drawings attributed to Jean Berque, plus numerous vignettes in text on a rose background. Each text page has a rose-colored decorative border. Loose sheets, in light brown paper wrapper, partially discolored. Together in plain paper slipcase. A very good copy. One of 150 copies on Rives paper out of a total edition of 153 copies
Having apparently wasted a significant amount of cash on a new scanner, which claimed to be a book scanner, I find myself using my 12 year old Canon Lide 110 yet again as it is much easier to use and causes less harm to the books than the new model.
Also having had a major clear out on eBay, I am sadly coming to the conclusion that eBay is not really a valid outlet for auctions, unless you want to give the books away, I did however make enough to buy the above mentioned scanner (bad decision) and this wonderfully rare title listed below.
Cover
Title Page
Louys, Pierre. Pibrac. Quatrains érotiques. Sans lieu, Aux dépens d’un Amateur pour le profit des quelques autres [i.e. Paris, Télin?], 1933 [1934]. Grand in-8. 77 pp. et 20 planches avec eaux-fortes en deux couleurs,et une autre suite en noir avec des croquis d’artistes. Broché, couverture recouverte en peluche verte avec vignette imprimée en argent. Un des 280 exemplaires numérotés sur ‘vélin d’Arches’ (en total 308). L’artiste « inconnu » est Berthommé Saint-André (selon Dutel). Les eaux-fortes sont d’un caractère très libre et réaliste. Le texte imprimé en vert/noir avec 4 dessins et culs-de-lampe érotiques. Cette édition, manifiquement illustrée, se trouve rarement dans le commerce. Les catalogues pour curiosa de Drouot et Simonson ne répertorie aucun exemplaire ; seul la vente « Pierre Louys » chez Drouot 1994 mentionne ce titre.Dutel 2198. Pia 1118. Monod 7425
Louys, Pierre. Pibrac. Erotic quatrains. Without place, At the expense of an Amateur for the benefit of the few others [i.e. Paris, Télin?], 1933 [1934]. Large in-8. 77 pp. and 20 plates with etchings in two colors and another suite in black with artists sketches . Paperback, cover covered in green plush with embossed in silver. One of the 280 copies numbered on ‘vellum of Arches’ (in total 308). The artist “unknown” is Berthommé Saint-André (according to Dutel). The etchings are of a very free and of realistic character. The text printed in green / black with 4 drawings and erotic lamp-ends. This edition, manifestly illustrated, is rarely found in the trade. The catalogs for curiosa of Drouot and Simonson does not list any specimens; only the sale “Pierre Louys” at Drouot 1994 mentions this title. Dutel 2198. Pia 1118. Monod 7425
Limitation
The Illustrations
Any questions or information about this title please complete a contact form.
Another clandestine title and a very odd one, the only reference I can find for this one is a brief listing of another copy as follows lists it as a numbered edition with 10 illustrations inserted, which this one also has, with a date of 1938 and referenced at Dutel 2642. It may well be that the illustrations are tipped in in other copies , but in mine they are pasted in over text, you can lift the image to read the text, but this is the first time I have found this odd practice. The illustrations are well executed and possibly controversial, I would have guessed this as a post war production, but bow to Mr Dutel’s superior knowledge. Could almost be an Isou- Losfeld.
So as always if anyone can shed any more light, do complete a contact form. On which subject the first image appears to have an exposure problem (in more than one way) not my doing that is how it looks and all the images are flat scanned, with no exposure adjustment.
Cover
Voluptés par une convaincue
Voluptés par une convaincue .”Mon livre secret” Sans date, circa 1938. pp 157, with 10 explicit illustrations pasted in over text, Number 83/250. In original French wraps with grubby pale blue paper jacket printed in black. (Dutel 2642)
SAMPLE TEXT
The Illustrations
Limitation
Any information or questions please complete a contact form
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.
Title Page
