203 - LOUŸS, Pierre. Aphrodite, Ancient Customs.

LOUŸS, Pierre. Aphrodite, Ancient Customs. Second edition, published on the same date as the original, of Pierre Louÿs’s famous novel set in ancient times. A copy from the library of Simone André Maurois, carefully prepared by Charles Septier. Paris, Mercure de France, 1896. In-8, green half-maroquin with corner pieces, spine with four raised bands decorated with the author’s name and title in gold lettering, date at the bottom, gilt head, covers and spine preserved (Ch. Septier). XIII and 339 pp. and 3 ff. (table of contents and colophon), Leather faded on the spine and along the edges of the covers; slight scuffing in one corner and on one edge; covers slightly soiled and frayed. Second edition, published the same year as the original, of Pierre Louÿs’s masterpiece, which he described as “an ancient novel about women and light.” A huge success upon its publication, this first novel by the author—set in Alexandria in the 1st century B.C.—tells the story of the tormented and impossible love between the courtesan Chrysis and the sculptor Demetrius. Alfred Valette, the editor of *Le Mercure de France*, first published it as a serial in *Le Mercure* (under the title *L’Esclavage*, between August 1895 and January 1896), then in a 12mo edition. A glowing review by François Coppée, published in *Le Journal* on April 15, 1896, brought the work to the forefront: buoyed by its scandalous reputation, *Aphrodite* enjoyed growing commercial success, prompting Valette to publish a new edition at the end of the year, this time in in-8 format, with a print run of 609 copies. From the library of Simone André Maurois (1894–1968), with her bookplate on the inside front cover, engraved by J. Jacquin after a design by Henri Mondor and dated April 1935. A fine copy in the author’s own binding.