Books

Small 8vo. 2 vols. (2), 188, (2) pp. 223, (1) pp. Pages 11 and 12 of vol. 1 absent from pagination, as issued. Original green and white wrappers, lettering in black to spine and upper cover. First edition, first issue, with the original price ("Francs: 900") printed on lower cover of each volume. - Nabokov's still-controversial masterpiece was initially 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." 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. The book is ranked fourth on the Modern Library's list of 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century. - Light wear to spines and extremities of jackets with upper cover of vol. 2 gently creased; white section of the spine of both volumes a little yellowed; page 63/64 shows minor loss to lower corner from imperfect opening. Still a very good set. - Field 793. Juliar A28.1.1, issue a. Kearney, The Paris Olympia Press, 24.

Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta.