Histoire d'O. 1954

REAGE, Pauline (pseudonym of Anne Desclos, 1907-1998). Histoire d'O. Preface by Jean Paulhan. [Paris:] Jean-Jacques Pauvert, 1954.

First edition of the most influential erotic text of the 20th century, together with 8 original sketches for a frontispiece for its sequel. Desclos began Histoire d'O as a private lover letter to Jean Paulhan, a towering literary figure, in part responding to his quip that women were incapable of writing erotica. Proven wrong, Paulhan urged her to publish, and took the manuscript to Pauvert who, after an overnight reading, exclaimed 'it's marvellous, it'll spark a revolution'. Histoire d'O became an unqualified commercial success, and won the literature prize 'Prix des Deux Magots' in February 1955. This success did not prevent the French authorities from bringing obscenity charges; when these were dropped, a publicity ban was imposed. When this ban was lifted in 1967, the concluding sequel was published under the title Retour à Roissy. Although this too was written under the pseudonym Pauline Réage, it is now known that Desclos was not its author. The 8 sketches included here are for a never-realised design for the sequel's frontispiece. A ninth sketch is a portrait of 'Dominique Aury' – another pseudonym used by Desclos – dated 1994, the year Desclos publicly admitted that she was the author of Histoire d'O. This portrait is in the same hand as the other sketches and is signed 'AB', matching that on the signed design on the bookplate. Cf. Pia Enfer, 634.

Octavo (184 x 115mm). Nine original pen-and-ink sketches contained in an envelope dated 1969. Number 241 of 480 on vergé paper (a fine, clean copy). Contemporary dark-orange leather, original printed wrappers bound in (upper joint split, but holding); contained in a slipcase. Provenance: 'AB' (bookplate).

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