AN ADULT'S STORY

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original orange card covers printed in black. A very good or better copy, the binding square with light rubbing to the extremities, a few small marks to the upper panel and the publisher's "Francs: 660" printed price scratched out on the lower panel. The contents with the usual paper stock toning are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps.

Number 8 in the Olympia Press' Atlantic Library. An erotic novel by the English "très proper, très daper" Antwerp domiciled bank clerk who having already written several novels appeared without an appointment at the Paris office of Maurice Girodias wondering if the Olympia Press might like to publish them. Girodias took them reluctantly but as soon as he read them knew them to be tailor-made for the Traveller's Companion. At their next meeting he asked the author what name he might his books to appear under. Something with the snap of "Greta X" perhaps? Or the seductive sibilance of "Carmencita de las Lunas"? Why, the man replied, puzzled "Robert Desmond" of course. And so An Adult's Story, the first of eight pornographic novels were published under his real name. (Campbell, James: Exiled in Paris). Provenance: from the library of Martin Stone.