Die Abenteuer der Fanny Hill, John Cleland (np, München, 1919)
7.25″ x 5″, 2 vol., 178pp, 179-370pp, hardbound, marbled paper boards with cloth spine. Paper label on spine. Good condition for age, showing wear at hinges, both slightly cocked, pages yellowing. Boards worn at edges and corners
Written while the author was in debtor’s prison in London and first published in 1749, Fanny Hill is considered the first original English prose pornography, and the first pornography to use the form of the novel. One of the most prosecuted and banned books in history, it has become a synonym for obscenity. This German version of Fanny Hill is without mention of publisher. This was German “Bückware” or an item that was kept under the counter only for customers who asked for it. A nice 2 volume set in German.