Henry Spencer Ashbee AKA Pisanus Fraxi

Here is a very unique individual, even by today's standards. Henry Spencer Ashbee (HSA) never seemed to sit still, he was constantly on the go. Either traveling to Holland, Germany or France on a very regular basis (before mobile phone and aeroplanes) or embarking on obsessive book collecting. He was a true globetrotter and travelled the world extensively and he didn't just collect any type of books, but books of an illegal erotic nature for that particular time (mid to late 1800's). If HSA had  been known by those in authority to have an interest in such vile matters, he may have been arrested. As did happen to some individuals. But only Henry and a few selected friends, who shared similar interests, were aware of his activities. Very little is known of Ashbee's particular tastes, although his comments on flagalation within his "Bibliography" try to feign disgust, his in-debt knowledge of the genre suggests more than a keen interest in this particular subject.
As HSA put together his famous three volume "Bibliography Of Prohibited Books" he decided, in these dangerous times, to create a pseudonym. He took the latin words Fraxinus (Ash) Apis (Bee) and out of these letters evolved the anagram Pisanus Fraxi. And so the legend was born. To gather the bulk of his collection and catalogue his library whilst also creating his three volume works was a mammoth task but a challenge HSA reveled in. Most of the "Bibliography Of Prohibited Books" was written approximately between 1877-1886 and it is widely assumed (but not confirmed) that between the years 1888 and 1894 Henry Spencer wrote "My Secret Life", an erotic tale that follows one mans journey from childhood to adulthood and all his sexual conquests/experiences in between.
This was a fascinating man who really did live life to the full until he eventually shook off his mortal coil in his beloved home on the 29th of July 1900.

Please leave a comment if you are interested in this subject.

Illustration: Ashbee in Paul Avril's bookplate 1890

The Marquis De Sade & 120 Days of Sodom + other writings

As I've said before, I'm new to the Erotica Game and although not a teenager anymore, I had assumed my eye's where adequately opened as a result of my life's experiences so far. That is until........I started reading The Marquis De Sade's 120 Days of Sodom & Other writings (American 1st Edition by Grove Press).
I thought his story of "Flourville & Courval" was actually very interesting. I was impressed at the way De Sade put the story together like a jigsaw. The constant revelations of Flourville entices the reader so it was very difficult to put the book down.(I won't give away the story so that you may read it yourself)
Onto 120 Days, well, what can I say? This book is predominantly a book for those with the unique fetish of Coprophagia (eating feces) to which over 50% of the chapters are dedicated. The language is descriptive albeit repetitive but the Characters are intriguing, robust Libertine's at their best, locked in a mansion with numerous playthings of both sexes and all ages at their disposal, to which they use to the utmost. 120 Days catalogues events that happen on a daily basis, and quite a number of the antics are performed after the detailed presentation of the Story-teller.
I found this literature at times frustrating as The Marquis eludes so much to events that are to follow, However, many of these events never arrive. De Sade also consistently encourages the reader to "Use your imagination" as to the goings on of other events.
Overall, I'm all the more wiser for reading it but it was at time laborious and if I dare say, boring.(Apologies to all Marquis De Sade Fans-this is just my opinion) This work has revealed part of a new world to me, and for that, I am grateful.
I've omitted the discussion of Part 4-120 Days of Sodom as it refers to De Sade theatrical works, I may return to it at a later date.
All comments are welcome on the above post - I would love to hear your views.

Francois Boucher and the rear of Mrs. O Murphy

Francois Boucher was a very prominant Artist of his time (16th Century), and a lot of his time was devoted to painting numerous versions of Mrs. Marie Louise O Murphy's bum. With Boucher being a lover of the classical themes of art, his decorative, idylic and voluptuous paintings would not be out of place above any mantle today. In the 16th century however, his obsession with the behind of Mademoiselle O Murphy was considered far too rude for public viewing, I will go one futher, it was considered to be the most sexually provocative picture of it's era because of the focus on the buttocks. The legs wide open was seen as an invitation to penetrate. Boucher made full use of the contours of, not only the rear but of the pillow and legs as well as the chaise longue itself. I would be very interested if you have any thought on this subject.

 

Félicien Rops

One of the Legends of Erotica that is still highly collectable today,
Mr. Félicien Rops (7 July 1833 - 23 August 1898)

I'm new to the "Erotica Collecting" Scene but I had the pleasure of researching some of Mr. Rops bookplates and frontispices recently. I have to say it was very educational. I'd to view some of his well known works of erotica and satanic illustrations which seem to grab your interest and hold you firmly within their grasp. All his drawings seemed very selfish, not wanting to share my eye's with the other works of art. My eye's were perfectly willing to oblige each and every one of the etchings, for the more I studied each individual picture-the more of the story evolved.
Mr. Rops has the fantastic talent (as do a number of Erotic Artists) of etching stories within stories i.e. whilst studying the so called main feature, from each corner of the drawing-whispers of other items emerge from the sidelines to tempt your eyes again.

If you would like to share your comments on Félecien Rops, I would be delighted to receive them.