The Collection an Update:

May 10, 2019 / Steve M. / Leave a comment

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.

CONTACT FORM

The Story of a Bookcase: The Paris Olympia Press Collection 02/10/2018

October 2, 2018October 3, 2018 / Steve M. / Leave a comment

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.

Books Wanted Ephemera: The Teasers.

Books Wanted: Springtime in Paris, Theobald Lovelace, Ophelia Press Paris

Books Wanted:- MELTING [Dissolving] Travellers Companion Series No 59

New into the Collection: Prospectus for ‘Watt’ a novel in English by Samuel Beckett. Collection Merlin 1953.

October 13, 2017October 13, 2017 / Steve M. / 1 Comment

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.

New into the Collection: Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov. Olympia Press 1955 (First edition)

October 9, 2015October 9, 2015 / Steve M. / Leave a comment

Something of a triumph this, purchased on eBay at a very good price and a much better copy than many listed on book sites a twice the price and more. An interesting point with this two volume set, is the second state status, it has because of the price increase stickers, which are actually easily removed, but I rather like them, and have never seen a copy with the stickers on before, presumably because book-dealers tend to remove them. The over price sticker only indicates that the books were not sold until after 1961, when the Franc was revalued. Also the stickers are a much preferable effect than the alternative which is either a ink stamped over price, or even the price being completely obliterated.

As a New into the Collection title, these books are not available for sale or trade.

Bibliographical description courtesy of Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press, Liverpool University Press 2007.

1.13.1 LOLITA Vladimir Nabokov, 1955

VLADIMIR NABOKOV | LOLITA | THE OLYMPIA PRESS | 8, Rue de Nesle, Paris 6e Collation: two volumes. 192, 224 pp. Vol. 1: 1*-6*16. Vol. 2: 1**-7**16. 17.0 x 10.7 cm., all edges trimmed. Printed on white wove paper.
Contents: Vol. 1: pp. [i,ii] blank. p. [1] LOLITA, reverse blank. p. [3] title, as above. p. [4] All rights reserved in all countries. | Copyright 1955 by V. Nabokov and The Olympia Press . p. [5], PART ONE, reverse blank. pp. 7-10, Foreword by John Ray, Jr. Ph.D. [numeration skips pp. 11-12.] pp. 13-188, text. p. [189] blank. p. [190] PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] |Printed in August 1955 by S.I.P., Montreuil, France | Dépôt légal : 3e 1955 .

Vol. 2: pp. [1,2] blank. p. [3] LOLITA, reverse blank. p. [5] title, as above. p. [6] All rights reserved in all countries. | Copyright 1955 by V. Nabokov and The Olympia Press . p.[7], PART TWO, reverse blank. pp. 9-223, text. p. [224] PRINTED IN FRANCE | [rule] | Printed in August 1955 by S.I.P., Montreuil, France | Dépôt légal : 3e trimestre 1955 .

Binding: Green wrappers, printed in black. Front cover framed within 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. Front cover: VLADIMIR NABOKOV | LOLITA |Volume One | THE | OLYMPIA | PRESS.

Spine: [printed up spine, within a white panel edged in black:] * LOLITA.

Spine: [printed up spine, within a white panel edged in black:] ** LOLITA.

Back cover: [at bottom right:] Francs : 900. (Over price Sticker FRANCS 1200)

Notes: (1) Suppressed on December 10th, 1956 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) Prosecuted on July 11th. 1958 under article 14 of a law passed on 16th July 1949 concerning the manner in which books, periodicals, &c. of an erotic character, could be sold, displayed and advertised. (3) This is the true first edition. It appeared in the distinctive green wrappers of the Traveller’s Companion Series, but not numbered and lacks any indication of being part of a series. Hence it is treated here as a general Olympia Press publication and not part of the TCS. See 7.66. (4) A handsome facsimile reprint of the first edition of Lolita was published in 1983 by the First Edition Library, Shelton, Connecticut, by arrangement with Alfred Knopf. It was issued in clamshell box covered in undressed buckram, with green leather labels blocked in gilt. The reprint was one of three that were done of scandalous modern works, the others being Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer and James Joyce’s Ulysses.

New into the Collection: The Carnal Days of Helen Seferis, Frances Lengel [Alexander Trocchi], The Atlantic Library no 7, Olympia Press.1954

October 7, 2015October 7, 2015 / Steve M. / Leave a comment

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.

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.

New into the Collection: YOUNG ADAM Frances Lengel [Alexander Trocchi], The Atlantic Library no 6, Olympia Press.1954

October 6, 2015October 6, 2015 / Steve M. / Leave a comment

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.

New into The Collection: Olympia Press 1959 (Catalogue)

July 18, 2015July 18, 2015 / Steve M. / 4 Comments

Another boost to my ceaseless pursuit of any and all Paris Olympia Press ephemera, such items are always welcome and although not for Trade or Sale, I will list them in full on the site and a PDF copy will be available to anyone who asks, free of charge.

The bibliographical description is courtesy of Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press. Liverpool University Press 2007, the index number is the actual location of the description in the bibliography. The images are from the actual item which is part of my collection.

Any Questions please leave a comment

14.11.1 1959. Olympia Press 1959.

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Front Cover

18.6 x 9.4 cm. pp. 28, incl. coloured wrappers illustrated with reproductions of Traveller’s Companion volumes against red and black backgrounds, and, on the front wrapper, a detail of a nude woman from a painting.

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Open Covers

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 1 and 2

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 3 and 4

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 5 and 6

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 7 and 8

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 9 and 10

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 11 and 12

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 13 and 14

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 15 and 16

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 17 and 18

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 19 and 20

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 21 and 22

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 23 and 24

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 25 and 26

Olympia Press catalogue 1959 Pages 27 and 28

Interior Illustrated with photos of Lawrence Durrell,William Burroughs, Vladimir Nabokov, Roger Casement & native entourage, judges in Casement trial, Aubrey Beardsley, and Henry Miller, together with reproductions of Olympia Press book covers, sculpture and art by Monet. Contains brief extracts or write-ups of The Black Book, Zazie or The Sex of Angels [sic], The Naked Lunch, Lolita, The Black Diaries, Under the Hill, The Gaudy Image, Our Lady of the Flowers, The White Paper, Teleny, Classical Hindu Erotology, Melting, My Life and Loves, The Fetish Crowd, Deva-Dasi, Juliette, 120 Days of Sodom, Sodom, Story of O, Sexus, Plexus and Nexus, Quiet Days in Clichy, The World of Sex, I Hear Voices, Houses of Joy, the Beckett trilogy, Watcher and the Watched, Pleasures and Follies, Two Novels by Guillaume Apollinaire and the Vicarion collections of beady songs and limericks. Notes: (1) Nexus was never published by the Olympia Press. (2) Zazie or The Sex of Angels was eventually issued under its original French title, Zazie dans le Metro.

PDF copy available on request, just leave a comment and I will email you a copy FREE

New into the Collection: Olympia Books 1957 (Catalogue)

July 12, 2015July 12, 2015 / Steve M. / 1 Comment

Another pamphlet style catalogue from the Paris Olympia Press, reproduced here in full, and as part of the collection not available for trade, however anyone wanting a PDF copy of this item, please leave a comment on this blog and I will send you a copy by e-mail.

Any questions? just ask: Leave a comment on this or any other blog or page and I will get back to you, in strictest confidence

As always the bibliographical description is courtesy of Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press: The Liverpool University Press 2007. The index number is the location of the description in the bibliography.

14.5.1 1957. – Olympia Books 1957.

Olympia Books 1957 Front Cover

17.5 x 9.2 cm. 24-page pamphlet, inclusive of illustrated wrappers. Illustrated with photos of Miller and Nabokov, photos by Brassaï, and reproduc-tions of artwork by Crannach, Cocteau, Ingres, erotic Hindu sculpture, &c. Included is a brief extract from Henry Miller’s The World of Sex, and short promotional notices of a number of Olympia Press publications, one of which reprints an extract from a Time magazine piece (dated March 18th 1957) on Lolita. A price list and order form includes assorted titles of the Traveller’s Companion series from no. 7 to no. 51. In addition, a number of the earlier Olympia titles by Sade, Miller, Apollinaire, &c. are listed, together with Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Black Spring and Lady Chatterley‘s Lover and vols. 1-4 of Frank Harris’s My Life and Loves, none of which were Olympia Press titles.

Olympia Books 1957 Open Covers

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 1 and 2

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 3 and 4

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 5 and 6

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 7 and 8

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 9 and 10

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 11 and 12

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 13 and 14

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 15 and 16

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 17 and 18

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 19 and 20

Olympia Books 1957 Pages 21 and 22

Note: I have deliberately darkened the contrast on pages 19 and 20 to make the red text more legible. As stated at the top of the page, anyone wanting a PDF copy of this catalogue please leave a comment and I will forward a copy to you via email or DropBox

New into the Collection: More Curious Books and Amusements (catalogue) Summer and Autumn 1956

July 8, 2015July 8, 2015 / Steve M. / 1 Comment

For your information and pursuing my fixation on the ephemeral items produced by the press, please find reproduced in full the Paris Olympia Press catalogue for Summer and Autumn 1956. Bibliographical description courtesy of Patrick Kearney , The Paris Olympia Press, Liverpool University Press 2007, The index Number, is the actual location of the description in the bibliography. The images are of the actual pamphlet from my personal collection.

1956 Cover

14.4.1 1956 (August). – More Curious Books and Amusements. 18.4 x 9.1 cm. 20-page pamphlet, inclusive of wrappers illustrated with a detail from a slightly odd painting of about 1595 by an unknown artist, allegedly showing Gabrielle d’Estrée, the mistress of Henry IV of France, having her nipple tweaked by her sister. Illustrated with photos of Genet, the eyes of four of Olympia’s pseudonymous authors, Humphrey Richardson [Michel Gall], Harriet Daimler [Iris Owens], Ataullah Mardaan, who remains unknown, and Akbar del Piombo [Norman Rubington]. There are also photos by Brassaï, and some anonymous line drawings which may be the work of Norman Rubington. Included is a one-page editorial (signed The Olympia Press) on censorship, and brief promotional notes on selected Traveller’s Companion titles, and others. The inside back wrapper carries three limericks extracted from Count Palmiro Vicarion’s Book of Limericks. A price list and order form includes assorted titles of the Traveller’s Companion series from no. 7 to no. 32. In addition, a number of the earlier Olympia titles by Sade, Miller, Apollinaire, &c. are listed, together with Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Black Spring and Lady Chatterley‘s Lover and vols. 1-4 of Frank Harris’s My Life and Loves, none of which were Olympia Press titles.

Cat 56 Open Covers

Cat 56 Pages 1 and 2

CAT 56 Pages 3 and 4

CAT 56 Pages 5 and 6

CAT 56 Pages 7 and 8

CAT 56 Pages 9 and 10

CAT 56 Pages 11 and 12

CAT 56 Pages 13 and 14

CAT 56 Pages 15 and 16

CAT 56 Pages 17 and 18

Unlike other items in my For Trade or For Sale section, items listed as in the collection or New into the Collection are not available. However if you would like a full size PDF version, please leave a comment on this blog, so that I can forward a copy to you via e-mail

The Paris Olympia Press Collection as of 30th June 2015

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 / Steve M. / 1 Comment

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.

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