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.
A truly pristine item of ephemera, and a most welcome addition to my collection. This is a perfect example of the material that I am seeking, this one is courtesy of Arcana Cabana in the Netherlands, who kindly agreed to seperate the price list from an edition of Justine, where it had sat between the leaves, untouched for over 50 years. You can view the Arcana Cabana site below.
Paris Olympia Press, Price list and Order form, Spring 1962.
Printed both sides in black and red on a single sheet of pale yellow card, measuring 27×9 cm. Paris bookshop sticker affixed to base of the form on the verso.
The titles in red are highlighted as new editions due to be published, interestingly, the low number Traveller’s Companion Series titles had been in print since 1955/56, therefore at TC 13 ” The Secret Life of Robinson Crusoe” was formerly entitled “The Sexual Life of Robinson Crusoe”, at TC 29, “Helen and Desire” was actually reissued as “Desire and Helen”, and at TC 40 ” The Organisation” was reissued as “The New Organisation”. Legend has it that the changes in title of these reprints was a ploy to confuse the Brigade Mondaine, who worked to lists of Olympia titles that had been banned in France, but as few, if any of the officials could read English a simple ploy such as above was enough to throw them off the scent.
You can also see that at TC 57, the sixth volume of Juliette was about to be issued, the slot for TC 58 was held vacant,eventually (in 1965) was occupied by “Juliette” volume seven, but at one stage in (catalogue 1958) it had been scheduled fo a TC edition of Becketts” Watt”. The title at TC 90 planned as ” The Sex Life of Ulysses” eventually came out as “A Bedside Odyssey”.
Another anomaly, under the Othello Books series (numbered 111-116), which were all to be published in 1962, at 116, sits “Sextet” by Hume Parkinson, which was not issued in this series, and appears to been passed over in the Danish imprint “Odyssey Library”, where it was supposed to be published in 1963, eventually turning up as TC 94 the last title to be published in the Travellers Companion Series in 1965.
No mention on this list of any of the Ophelia Press titles, which generally appear to have been run as a seperate enterprise the Ophelia titles are generally themed around flagellation and sado masochism which traditionally sat outside of mainstream erotica.
Such a significant amount of information from such a small piece of paper, and perhaps something of an explanation for my fascination, with the Olympia Press ephemera material.
Paris Olympia Press, Price list and Order form, Spring 1962.
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.
Back on to my favourite topic , which is the really rare titles. Something of a peripheral item, the books published or allegedly published, constitute an attempt by Maurice Girodias to avoid the attention of the French authorities, by shifting some of his editions to a Copenhagen printer. As Pat Kearney notes:-“Right up to the end, the French police were snapping at Girodias’s heels, and one of his last publishing efforts in Paris was to have six novels printed in Copenhagen, a desperate attempt to evade the authorities at home and launch a new series called The Odyssey Library. Despite the fact that censorship had been abolished in Denmark not to mention the fact the books were in English the Danish authorities were somehow persuaded by their French counterparts to halt the operation. Most of these novels were later reprinted in New York by the Olympia Press, but copies of the Danish originals, which are amongst the scarcest of the books that Girodias published, do emerge from time to time.” (Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press. Liverpool University Press 2007) Index Numbers are the actual location of the description in the bibliography.
Now for the first time I have the 4 known titles in my possession at the same time, quite an event, well for me at least, this post gives all the available information on the titles in the series from Pat Kearney’s description below, we know that Whores, Queers and Others was prepared for publication in this series , as the later NY printing carries the distinctive Odyssey Library title page, as for Sextet no one seems to have any idea whether or not it was actually produced other than as the last title in the Paris Traveller’s Companion series.
So go on someone tell me that you have copies of either, photographic evidence will be required, and you would be welcome to donate them to my collection.
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] [three typographic fig leafs] FLESH | RAFFLE by | jim dobbs [two typographic fig leafs] | 1 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Binding: Matt dark red wrappers, trimmed flush with the book. The front wrapper reproduces the titlepage, except for the following differences. The ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title, author, &c. are given is in black. The typographic fig leaves are dark red. The title, author, series number and publisher are in white.
[Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the title and author lettered in black down spine:] FLESH RAFFLE by Jim Dobbs.
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET Notes: This is probably the original edition of a novel called Hot Lottery credited to the same author and advertised by the Olympia Press in New York about 1967 as volume 215 of the Traveller’s Companion Series. A comparison of the two books, however, has not yet been undertaken because a copy of the supposed American reprint has not been located. Other books appearing under this pseudonym from other publishers in the United States include In Lust and War (1969) and Island Lust (1969). A third novel, Chateau Venus, was published by the Olympia Press in New York in 1968.
12.2.1 LESSONS IN LOVE Marjorie Cartwright, 1963
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] LESSONS IN | LOVE by Marjorie | Cartwright [two typographic fig leafs] | 2 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Binding: Matt dark red wrappers, trimmed flush with the book. The front wrapper reproduces the title page, except for the following differences. The ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title,ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title, author, &c. are given is in black. The typographic fig leaves are dark red. The title, author, series number and publisher are in white.
[Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the title and author lettered in black down spine:] LESSONS IN LOVE by Marjorie Cartwright.
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET. Notes: Reprinted under the title Rape of the Statue by the Olympia Press in New York in 1968 as no. 104 of the Ophelia Press imprint.
12.3.1 WHORES, QUEERS, AND OTHERS (2 vols.) Philip Barrows [Daniel R. Tuite] Note: No copy known. Existence implied from catalogs and the missing series number 3. Published later by the New York Olympia Press, with a title page in the same Baroque style as the Danish series. It is possible this book was never published in the Odyssey Library series, but first (and only) released by the New York Olympia Press.
12.4.1 SCREAM, MY DARLING, SCREAM Angela Pearson [John Millington-Ward], 1963
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] [two typographic fig leafs] SCREAM, | MY DARLING, | SCREAM ! by | Angela Pearson | 4 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Collation: 196 pp. No signatures, but [1-11]8, [12]10. The final signature has an additional double leaf, inserted. Printed on white wove paper. Contents: pp. [1,2] blank. p. [3], [two typographic fig leafs] SCREAM,| MY DARLING, | SCREAM ! by | angela pearson,
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET.
Scream Back Cover
Published later by the New York Olympia Press
12.5.1 MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME: Tor Kung. [Jean Mclean and Jack Gilbert], 1963
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] MY MOTHER | TAUGHT ME | by Tor Kung [two typographic fig leafs] | 5 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Binding: Matt dark red wrappers, trimmed flush with the book. The front wrapper reproduces the titlepage, except for the following differences. The ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title, author, &c. are given is in black. The typographic fig leaves are dark red. The title, author, series number and publisher are in white.
[Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the title and author lettered in black down spine:] MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME by Tor Kung.
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET. Note: Published later by the New York Olympia Press.
12.6.1 SEXTET J.Hume Parkinson 1963
Note: No copy known. Existence implied from catalogues and the missing series number 6. Published in 1965 in the Traveller’s Companion Series, Number 94 (5.94)
Please complete contact form with any information or comments
One that i was beginning to wonder if i would ever see a copy but here it is and very welcome too, many thanks to my new contact Jacques, who improved my collection with three boxes of books, even if nearly 100 were New York Olympia titles, this one did appear in the New York series but here is the real thing.
As always the bibliographical description is courtesy of Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press, The Liverpool University Press 2007. The index number corresponds to the actual location of the description in the bibliography.
12.2.1 LESSONS IN LOVE Marjorie Cartwright, 1963
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] LESSONS IN | LOVE by Marjorie | Cartwright [two typographic fig leafs] | 2 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Binding: Matt dark red wrappers, trimmed flush with the book. The front wrapper reproduces the title page, except for the following differences. The ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title,ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title, author, &c. are given is in black. The typographic fig leaves are dark red. The title, author, series number and publisher are in white.
[Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the title and author lettered in black down spine:] LESSONS IN LOVE by Marjorie Cartwright.
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET. Notes: Reprinted under the title Rape of the Statue by the Olympia Press in New York in 1968 as no. 104 of the Ophelia Press imprint.
Keen to find other copies of this title and any others in the series.
In all its battered glory, the first new addition to my primary collection for some weeks, and a very important find for me.
Very pleased to add this one but still looking for others in this series, do not mind having multiple copies as this improves my trading options.
As always the bibliographical description is courtesy of Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press, The Liverpool University Press 2007. The index number corresponds to the actual location of the description in the bibliography.
12.1.1 FLESH RAFFLE Jim Dobbs, 1963
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] [three typographic fig leafs] FLESH | RAFFLE by | jim dobbs [two typographic fig leafs] | 1 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Binding: Matt dark red wrappers, trimmed flush with the book. The front wrapper reproduces the titlepage, except for the following differences. The ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title, author, &c. are given is in black. The typographic fig leaves are dark red. The title, author, series number and publisher are in white.
[Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the title and author lettered in black down spine:] FLESH RAFFLE by Jim Dobbs.
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET Notes: This is probably the original edition of a novel called Hot Lottery credited to the same author and advertised by the Olympia Press in New York about 1967 as volume 215 of the Traveller’s Companion Series. A comparison of the two books, however, has not yet been undertaken because a copy of the supposed American reprint has not been located. Other books appearing under this pseudonym from other publishers in the United States include In Lust and War (1969) and Island Lust (1969). A third novel, Chateau Venus, was published by the Olympia Press in New York in 1968.
Actually been in the collection for a couple of weeks and originally posted as a page which quickly becomes invisible re-listed here as a post.
As always 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 the actual book now part of my collection and Not Available to Trade or for sale.
12.4.1 SCREAM, MY DARLING, SCREAM Angela Pearson [John Millington-Ward], 1963
TITLE PAGE
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] [two typographic fig leafs] SCREAM, | MY DARLING, | SCREAM ! by | Angela Pearson | 4 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Binding: Matt dark red wrappers, trimmed flush with the book. The front wrapper reproduces the titlepage, except for the following differences. The ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title, author, &c. are given is in black. The typographic fig leaves are dark red. The title, author, series number and publisher are in white.
[Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the title and author lettered in black down spine:] SCREAM, MY DARLING, SCREAM ! by angela pearson.
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET.
For details of other titles wanted in this series follow the link below.
Very pleased to add this one but still looking for others in this series, do not mind having multiple copies as this improves my trading options.
As always the bibliographical description is courtesy of Patrick Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press, The Liverpool University Press 2007. The index number corresponds to the actual location of the description in the bibliography.
12.5.1 MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME: Tor Kung. [Jean Mclean and Jack Gilbert], 1963
[Within a black, highly ornamental frame comprising on each side statues on plinths and surmounted by mythological, tailed figures, the whole resting on a base decorated florally and at its centre a cameo:] MY MOTHER | TAUGHT ME | by Tor Kung [two typographic fig leafs] | 5 | THE ODYSSEY LIBRARY
Binding: Matt dark red wrappers, trimmed flush with the book. The front wrapper reproduces the titlepage, except for the following differences. The ornamental border is in white. The central panel where the title, author, &c. are given is in black. The typographic fig leaves are dark red. The title, author, series number and publisher are in white.
[Spine; within a white, black-edged panel, the title and author lettered in black down spine:] MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME by Tor Kung.
[Backwrapper; at foot, lettered in white within a solid black panel:] U.S. dollars 3,60 or equivalent in other currencies. [Printed in small black type at bottom right of backwrapper and at 90° to price panel:] Printed in Denmark | BEHRNDT OFFSET. Note: Published later by the New York Olympia Press.
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.
