Books

First edition, first impression, first issue. "Lolita" was originally published with "Francs: 900" printed on the rear covers, but a sudden currency fluctuation at the time of publication meant that the books had to be re-priced to 1,200 francs. Copies of the first issue appear either without a price change, as here, or with the bookseller's hand-written correction. The second issue appeared with the publisher's overprice sticker on the rear covers. Nabokov, unable to find an American publisher brave enough to accept "Lolita," turned to Paris to find a press. Olympia printed 5,000 copies in 1955; customs officials in the UK were quickly instructed to seize copies of the book at the border, and a year later it was also banned in France. Widespread censorship did little to dampen the book's success; when it was finally published in the USA in 1958 it topped best-seller lists, selling 100,000 copies in the first few weeks. Two volumes, octavo. Original green and white wrappers printed in black. Housed in a black cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Spines a little creased, very faint damp stain to front wrappers extending to prelims of vol. 2, fore and lower edges lightly foxed, vol. 2 with tiny bump to foot of spine and slight creases to corners. A bright, fresh, near-fine set. Juliar A28.1; Kearney 24. For Amis, Kirsch, and Prescott, see "Sick, Scandalous, Spectacular: The First Reviews of Lolita," 18 August 2020, Literary Hub, available online.

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.