• 13 • “LIGHT OF MY LIFE, FIRE OF MY LOINS”: FIRST EDITION OF LOLITA, 1955 13NABOKOV, Vladimir. Lolita. Paris, 1955. Two volumes. Small octavo, original green paper wrappers. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $10,800 First edition, first issue of one of the most famous and controversial novels of the 20th century. “Brilliant… One of the funniest and one of the saddest books that will be published this year” (New York Times). The saga of Lolita began well before its publication in 1955. A number of American publishers rejected it for fear of negative repercussions if they published such a “pornographic” work. When the Olympia Press in Paris finally issued the book, its first edition sold out quickly in Europe. It was not as warmly received abroad: The British government pressured the French to ban the novel, and no American edition saw print until 1958. First issue, with the price of “Francs: 900” on the rear wrappers (brisk sales spurred the publisher to raise the price later to 1200 francs). Field 0793. Juliar 428.1.1. Volume I wrappers showing light edge rubbing and a few small spots of soiling. A lovely copy in near-fine condition.
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