Pierre Louÿs: Bilitis, Aphrodite and illustrated editions

Pierre Louÿs in a few words

Born in Ghent and raised in Paris, Pierre Louÿs formed a lifelong friendship with André Gide at school, later associating with Paul Valéry, Claude Debussy and Stéphane Mallarmé’s circle. He founded the review La Conque, where his early poems appeared. Chansons de Bilitis, presented as a translation of an imaginary Greek poetess, deceived some scholars and secured his reputation. Aphrodite, a novel of ancient customs, achieved great success, followed by La Femme et le Pantin and Les Aventures du roi Pausole. Louÿs gradually withdrew from literary life; Psyché, unfinished, was published after his death, along with a secret and free work long kept clandestine.

What you will find with us

Our stock includes several dozen copies of Pierre Louÿs: editions from Mercure de France and Fasquelle, paperback reprints, period-bound copies and, above all, 20th-century illustrated editions in which artists such as George Barbier, Paul-Émile Bécat and Mariette Lydis gave their vision of Bilitis and Aphrodite. The grid above lists titles in which the author’s name or one of his major works appears in the title. Works from his libertine vein, intended for an adult readership, are classified in our Curiosa section, with appropriate discretion.

Identifying a fine edition of Louÿs

For first editions, check the publisher, any mention of the edition and the limitation statement: large-paper copies (Holland, Japan, China) are few and numbered. For illustrated books, value depends on the artist’s name, the technique (etchings, drypoints, wood engravings, stencils), the print run and the presence of suites, cancelled plates or an original drawing mentioned in the limitation statement. A complete copy of the plates, untrimmed, with original wrappers and dust-jacket, is always preferable to a defective copy, even if finely bound.

Buying and conservation advice

Illustrated books from this period were often printed on high-quality paper that ages well, but folded wrappers tend to split at the spine and plates may suffer foxing if the book has been kept in damp conditions. Check the number of plates listed and ask us for photographs if the description is insufficient. Store these volumes flat or upright in their slipcase, away from direct light. A copy in sheets should remain in its original wrapper, without elastic bands or adhesive tape.

To go further

The pages for André Gide and Paul Valéry feature the two friends from Louÿs’ youth. Illustrated books and fine bindings are gathered in the Fine Books, Art and Bindings section, while first editions are in the Literature and Original Editions section. The Original Editions and Presentation Copies dossier explains large-paper copies and print runs; the Curiosa section brings together early libertine literature, reserved for adults.