Les Confidences De Chérubin by DONVILLE, G. [Illus. HEROUARD, Charles]

Paris: Aux Galants Passe-Temps, 1939. 8vo, pp. 229. Rebound in red boards lettered in gilt on spine, half-title, index and page of advertisements bound in. A fine copy preserved in a modern binding. 16 b&w heliogravures by Charles 'Herric' Hérouard placed throughout the text. Second edition. French text. No. 1316 of 2225 copies. Lesbian spanking novel from the stable of Jean Fort, the clandestine publisher of mostly sado-masochistic erotica. Fort was active in Paris throughout the period between the two World Wars; this work dates from the very end of his known publishing career. Whether he survived into the 1940s is uncertain, but no book bearing any of his known imprints appeared after 1939. As the title page shows, Fort distributed books bearing the Aux Galants Passe-Temps imprint from 79, Rue De Vaugirard -- the same address from which his better known Collection Des Orties Blanches had been issued a few years before. The identity of 'G. Donville' is unknown, but is believed also to have worked under the names Liane Lauré, Liane de Lorys and Lucette de Chatay. The writer was active throughout the 1930s, was probably a woman, and (as this volume demonstrates) was a devotee of lesbianism, spanking, and frilly knickers. A lively dinner guest. Charles Hérouard, however, was well known, a big name in early twentieth century French illustration. He worked for the society magazine La Vie Parisienne for nearly half a century yet still found time to forge a highly successful career in erotica, where both his draughtsmanship and his imagination were highly prized. The sixteen illustrations he provides here are fine examples of the sassy, sexy style which informed both his public and clandestine work. A nicely preserved, complete copy in an attractive binding.