“MY UNCLE LEAVES ME HIS HAREM; WHAT COULD I DO?”

UCHARD, Mario. My Uncle Barbassou. London: Vizetelly, 1888. Large octavo, contemporary blue morocco gilt, raised bands, top edge gilt, uncut. $475.

Second edition in English of this work about life and love in a harem, with 40 etchings by Paul Avril, handsomely bound in full morocco-gilt.

This wry and somewhat erotic novel tells the story of a young Frenchman who is willed his eccentric uncle's harem and finds himself literally seduced by the lifestyle it offers. The character of Uncle Barbassou was allegedly based rather loosely on Sir Richard Burton. The first edition was published in French in 1876; the first edition in English was published one year prior to this edition in 1887.

Slightest soiling and offsetting to text, binding generally rather nice. A handsome copy.