Coming in 2025, Victorian Eorotic in Paperback Volume Editions and Deluxe Hardcover!
Discover the complete four-volume masterpiece of The Romance of Lust, a cornerstone of Victorian erotica, beautifully restored and illustrated in this stunning edition. This series features over 100 newly unearthed photographs, hidden for over a century and recently discovered in an English country estate attic. Meticulously restored and paired with the original text for the first time, these evocative images are believed to depict the real-life inspirations behind the novel’s characters and scenes. Accompanied by a forward and volume descriptions by Dante Remy, this edition delves into the themes of desire, transgression, and human psychology that make the series both provocative and profoundly significant. Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts of classic erotic literature, this series is a celebration of sensuality, history, and literary artistry, offering an unparalleled reading experience.
A History of Scandal and Sensation
There are few works in the annals of erotic literature that hold as complex, scandalous, and lasting an allure as The Romance of Lust, or Early Experiences. Published anonymously in four volumes between 1873 and 1876, this Victorian novel is at once a vivid exploration of human sexuality and a striking reflection of the societal hypocrisies of its time. The Romance of Lust was a serial masterpiece that epitomized the paradoxes of its era. Released discreetly by underground publishers, the novel circulated among the upper echelons of society, who indulged in its bawdy content while publicly decrying immorality. This duality—of repression and indulgence—makes the novel a cultural artifact, offering a voyeuristic glimpse into the shadowy corners of Victorian life.
The four volumes were published by unknown printers, likely operating out of London, and were distributed covertly to evade censorship. The clandestine nature of its publication not only added to its mystique but also ensured its survival as a cornerstone of erotic literature. For nearly a century, copies were traded like forbidden treasures among collectors, scholars, and the erotica-obsessed.
Organization and Serialization
As a serialized work, The Romance of Lust was designed to tantalize, leaving readers eager for the next installment. Each volume builds upon its predecessor with a meticulous escalation of eroticism and intrigue. The novel begins with the awakening of youthful desires, evolves into a celebration of libertine indulgence, and culminates in a kaleidoscope of unbridled passions. This progression mirrors the protagonist's own psychosexual journey, moving from innocence to uninhibited exploration.
The episodic structure allowed for a blend of standalone narratives and overarching themes, a literary device that catered to the serialized format while maintaining cohesion. Each chapter delves deeper into the psyche of its characters, using seduction, betrayal, and taboo as both plot devices and vehicles for psychological exploration.
A Masterpiece Restored with Found Photographs
This restored edition represents a triumph of preservation and presentation—but its story does not end there. The publication of this volume marks a monumental discovery in the world of erotic literature, as it includes, for the very first time, a collection of previously unknown photographs believed to be intimately tied to the creation and inspiration of The Romance of Lust. These photographs, hidden away for over a century, were recently uncovered in the attic of an English country estate farm, a property believed to have belonged to descendants of the novel's probable publisher. The photographs themselves are remarkable artifacts, depicting men and women in a variety of poses and scenes that seem to mirror the novel’s most vivid and transgressive episodes. The depictions and settings evoke the world of Victorian England with haunting authenticity. Many scholars now believe that these images not only inspired the events portrayed in The Romance of Lust but may also depict individuals from the author’s personal circle, perhaps even real-life counterparts to the characters brought to life in the text.
Volume I: The Awakening of Desire
Step into the hidden chambers of Victorian sensuality with The Romance of Lust: Volume I. In this inaugural installment, the young narrator awakens to the mysteries of desire under the tutelage of an alluring governess, discovering pleasures both forbidden and enticing. With newly unearthed, period-authentic photographs found on an English country estate, this restored edition brings the tantalizing world of this literary classic to life. The intertwined themes of erotic awakening and forbidden education make this volume an essential opening to a series that has captivated readers for over a century.
Volume II: Into the Labyrinth of Temptation
The Romance of Lust: Volume II plunges deeper into the labyrinth of temptation and indulgence, where forbidden passions blossom and secrets unfold. The narrator’s journey grows more intricate as seduction and scandal drive the narrative to new heights. Enhanced by a stunning collection of recently discovered photographs believed to depict real-life inspirations for the story, this volume continues to explore the boundaries of desire and transgression. A must-read for those drawn to the shadowy elegance of Victorian erotica.
Volume III: Scandal and Seduction Unleashed
The threads of seduction tighten in The Romance of Lust: Volume III, drawing the narrator into new realms of pleasure and scandal that defy convention. As the boundaries of morality blur, the narrative becomes an intricate tapestry of intrigue, passion, and betrayal. Featuring breathtaking restored photographs from a secret Victorian trove, this volume immerses readers in the most daring moments of this literary masterpiece. Perfect for those who relish the provocative and the forbidden.
Volume IV: The Zenith of Passion and Revelation
In The Romance of Lust: Volume IV, the lessons of lust reach their zenith, culminating in a whirlwind of passions, betrayals, and intoxicating encounters. This volume also includes a tantalizing appendix of letters, offering a glimpse behind the veils of the forbidden and revealing the secrets and unspoken desires that shaped the narrative. Paired with rediscovered photographs that vividly capture the era’s hidden sensuality, this final installment is a fitting crescendo to the series—a masterpiece of erotic literature brought to life in unprecedented detail.