Historic Erotica

I've never wished more that I was in Paris... and as wealthy as King Louis XV... For on April 27, the Christie's of Paris is to auction off the Nordmann Library of Historical Erotica.

Included in the goodies are the original manuscript of Pauline Réage's Story of O, several works by the Marquis de Sade, and a unique surviving copy of Aretino’s "Sonnetti Lussuriosi" -- how utterly wonderful.

I wish I could at least see it, but a corporate dislaimer states "Because of its graphic sexual images, the catalogue appears online without illustrations." ARG!

You can get more on the reaction to the offering here, in the Telegraph's preview of the auction. While the Telegraph seems to have somewhat of a dislike the offering of such items (expressed evenly in this quote: " if there is a difference between erotic art and pornography, I have yet to find it"), they do note the historical value in the items with this comment:

"Whatever you think of the content, it is certainly a masterpiece of collecting, bringing together works of great rarity and value."

As such, they are far more liberal in their acceptance than some...

Albert Mohler writes:

"The big question, of course, is precisely what "value" these items represent. The late Mr. Nordmann may have put together this "masterpiece of collecting" but, in the end, it stands as one more monument to the confusion of the arts. Nothing that degrades, perverts, and demeans the Creator's gift of sex can be truly beautiful or valuable.

Christians can be guilty of a sex-denying prudishness that also robs the Creator of His glory in the gift of sex. This also requires careful Christian attention.

But what kind of perversity is represented in the collecting of a world-class library of erotica, worthy of auction at Christie's? This is Mr. Nordmann's legacy. And, whether they are comfortable with the public relations or not, Christie's is now a glorified smut dealership."

But he completely misses the point of the collection, of sexuality, and of this collection itself. In fact, I wonder, did Mohler even read the article to which he links? For neatly included in the Telegraph piece is this keen insight:

"Nordmann was, in his wife's words, acutely aware of "the universal heritage of documents which had, by intolerance and ignorance, been the subject of systematic persecution across the centuries". After his death in 1992, the library passed to his widow; but books are not like paintings, which give pleasure simply by hanging on the wall. They mean little to their owner unless they are opened."

I would, if only given the chance, preserve and enjoy the works Nordman saved.

But, alas, I am an ocean away, and more than a dollar short...