LOUYS, PIERRE - Aphrodite: Ancient Manners

New York: Illustrated Editions Co, 1932. First Edition. First Printing. Hard Cover. Illustrated by Frank J. Buttera. Quarter bound in publisher's black cloth over blue bevelled boards, fore-edge deckle. Illustrated with full-page erotic B&W drawings by Frank J. Buttera. Pierre Louÿs (1870-1925) was a French poet and writer, most renowned for lesbian and classical themes in some of his writings. He is known as a writer who sought to "express pagan sensuality with stylistic perfection." He was made first a Chevalier and then an Officer of the Légion d'honneur for his contributions to French literature. In 1896, Louÿs published his first novel, Aphrodite—Ancient Manners, a depiction of courtesan life in Alexandria. It is considered a mixture of both literary excess and refinement, and, numbering at 350,000 copies, was the best selling work by any living French author in his day. Aphrodite was so successful that it started the career of Mercure de France. The success was due in part to a rave review by François Coppée, and no doubt also to the libertine scenes throughout the book. Louÿs had previously only published limited run pamphlets. The book caused a scandal, and reviewer Dorothy Parker noted how difficult it was to obtain in New York, and that a play by George Hazelton based on the book was likewise successful because it was denounced as obscene by the mayor. Many erotic artists have illustrated Louÿs's writings. Some of the most renowned have been Georges Barbier, Paul-Émile Bécat, Antoine Calbet, Beresford Egan, Foujita, Louis Icart, Joseph Kuhn-Régnier, Georges Lepape, Mariette Lydis, Milo Manara, André Edouard Marty, Pascal Pia, Georges Pichard, Frank J. Buttera, Rojan, Marcel Vertès, and Édouard Zier. These illustrations are by American artist Frank J. Buttera. Translated from the French by Willis L. Parker. Small tear at head of spine, moderately shaken, unmarked; all text and illustrations clean and bright. GOOD. B&W Drawings. 8vo 8" - 9" tall. 250 pp. Good with no dust jacket .

See/Hide Conditions of Sale

Following conditions of sale apply:
Terms of Sale

All books are offered subject to prior sale. All of our books are described accurately, packed carefully and shipped promptly. Satisfaction Guaranteed: any book may be returned for any reason within 30 days of receipt for a full refund. You may email or phone your order or inquiry.
We accept payment by PayPal (arthur@roundtablebooks.com), Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, check and Money Order. If you elect to pay by check or money order, please email or phone first to reserve the book, we will hold it for you pending payment.

Shipping: Media Mail (in USA only): $3.95 for the first book (weighing 2.2 pounds, 1 kg, or less), and $1.50 for each additional book. Books weighing more than one kg or for international shipment will be charged actual postage.

Priority Mail (in USA): $6.95 and up.
Express mail (in USA): $24.50 and up.
International Priority Mail: $32.95 and up.

FedEx: Quotes available upon request.

Most orders are shipped within 24 hours of payment.

Credit Cards Accepted: PayPal (ajf@ajfrank.net) Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.