The Well of Loneliness

Paris: The Pegasus Press, 1928. Cloth. Very Good. 9" by 6". None. A smart early impression of this lesbian novel from British author Radclyffe Hall, with a commentary from English-French social reformer Henry Havelock Ellis. First published by Jonathan Cape July 1928, second impression August 1928. Here re-issues by The Pegasus Press September 1928. A groundbreaking work in lesbian literature, this novel follows the life of Stephen Gordon, an Englishwoman from an upper-class family whose "sexual inversion" is apparent from an early age. She finds love with Mary Llewellyn while serving as an ambulance driver during the First World War, but their happiness together is marred by social isolation and rejection. Written by Marguerite Antonia Radclyffe Hall, an English poet and author who often went by the name of John in adulthood, best known for this work. With commentary by Henry Havelock Ellis, an English-French physician, eugenicist, writer, progressive intellectual and social reformer who studied human sexuality. Ellis published works on a variety of sexual practices and inclinations, as well as on transgender psychology. In the original black cloth binding. Externally, smart with rubbing and light bumping to the extremities. Fading to the spine and the odd mark to the boards. Small splits in the cloth to the head and tail of the spine. Front joint starting but firm. Lacking front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with the odd small spot. Light age toning to the endpapers. Very Good