Lolita
Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov, 1955
NABOKOV, Vladimir Vladimirovich (1899-1977). Lolita. Paris: The Olympia Press, 1955.

First edition, first printing. Nabokov's still-controversial masterpiece was rejected by several American and British publishers, before being accepted by Maurice Girodias and his Paris-based Olympia Press. Upon publication, Nabokov defended his "serious work of art" to friends and publishers: "I know Lolita is my best book so far." In his 1957 essay reflecting on the novel in the Anchor Review, he wrote that the "initial shiver of inspiration was somehow prompted by a newspaper story about an ape in the Jardin des Plantes, who, after months of coaxing by by a scientist, produced the first drawing ever charcoaled by an animal: this sketch showed the bars of the poor creature’s cage.” The British Home Office ordered all copies entering the UK to be seized, and lobbied the French government so that, surprisingly, Lolita was also banned in France for nearly two years. Lolita was not published in the U.S. and the U.K. until 1959. This is the repriced issue of the first printing. Juliar A28.1.1, issue b.

Two volumes, octavo. Original green printed wrappers, with "Francs : 900" printed on vol 1 and "NEW PRICE" sticker on vol 2 (light wear at spine and panel edges); custom box.