A Study In Victorian (Printed) Erotica
Grumpy Old Bookman discusses Victorian pornography. This third part focuses on an intriguing 1882 publication called The Mysteries of Verbena House.
So speaking as a collector, the limited number of copies then leads to an even less abundant number of books now -- far, far out of my reach. (Though I too have spotted French versions now and then.) So the closest I may ever come to knowing this book is via Grumpy. Viva La Internet.
His post is full of mystery, as (perhaps only) the literate and astute (collectors &/or researchers) can really appreciate. I am so 'there.'
One thing I noted from Grumpy's post was this bit on Algernon Swinburne:
Just another reason for a kinky American to wish to travel abroad. (Of course, I mean to look for the books. Or speak with Grumpy Old Bookman. *wink*)
The subtitle is 'Miss Bellasis Birched for Thieving', which, if you know anything about Victorian porn, speaks for itself.The cost at the time would be the equivalent of two weeks pay now. Which as we know from the banned books post, wasn't uncommon -- either price them out of range, or mark them for "private collections" or the medical community, and you're publishing-ass was covered.
The book was published privately, in a print run of 150 copies. The price was four guineas, a sum which you can probably multiply by 100 to get today's equivalent price (perhaps US$600). This, of course, placed it far beyond the reach of the vulgar crowd.
So speaking as a collector, the limited number of copies then leads to an even less abundant number of books now -- far, far out of my reach. (Though I too have spotted French versions now and then.) So the closest I may ever come to knowing this book is via Grumpy. Viva La Internet.
His post is full of mystery, as (perhaps only) the literate and astute (collectors &/or researchers) can really appreciate. I am so 'there.'
One thing I noted from Grumpy's post was this bit on Algernon Swinburne:
And Swinburne was yet another Victorian who, as a result of his experience at Eton, was totally obsessed by flagellation. Though in his case his interest was masochist rather than sadistic; his sole sexual interest was in being the slave of a beautiful, violent woman.Apparently this making of a Dom or sub is a very common English school phenomenon which continues today.
Just another reason for a kinky American to wish to travel abroad. (Of course, I mean to look for the books. Or speak with Grumpy Old Bookman. *wink*)
Labels: Authors, BDSM, Books, Collecting, Links, Sex History
posted by Silent-Porn-Star at
1:41 AM
3 Comments:
Interesting bit about English schools... guess it does make some sense.
I'd love to read Verbena House. It must be long into public domain by now. Are there any reprints or online copies?
True, Swinburne was influenced by the Eton culture of corporal punishment, as were many other kinky Englishmen (and women, his cousin had her own interest in the rod). However, Swinburne was influenced by romanticism and the cult of sensibility, much as Sacher-Masoch was. You could also find kinkiness in countries where corporal punishment in schools had been banned, e.g. France. Finding the seed of modern BDSM in Eton's famous "block" is misleading, as there were many other influences at work. (In this, I disagree with both Stephen Marcus and Ian Gibson.)
My guess is that there are such few copies of Verbena that no one has one to reprint. I thought the same thing, and a search was rather fruitless.
BDSM themes run rampant in many cultures, included both in social custom and 'hidden perversities' alike, so I'd say it's a fundamental human 'need' or whatever you'd classify it as. I'm interested in your book, naturally ;)
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