117. NEW ORLEANS STORYVILLE BLUE BOOK, PLUS,

Auction: American History Auction / June 24, 2009

Price Realized: $1,880.00

Anon. n.d., but probably the last, 1915, edition of this size. 24mo in blue printed paper wraps with red imprint and printer's ornament of a harp on cover, 96 unnumbered pages. Described on pages 71-73 of the following volume. Preface notes: This Directory and Guide of the Sporting district has been before the people on many occasions, and has proven its authority as to what is doing in the "Queer Zone." (Clearly there have been some idiom shifts since this printing.) The first third of the book is listings of white "fast women;" next is one page of "Octoroons" (women of mixed parentage - one-eighth Black -"octo"); the next section is the colored women; and the last third or so is private ads placed by individual courtesans and houses. The entire volume is interspersed with ads for restaurants, clubs, alcoholic beverages and related interests (lots of cigars, but also the Alhambra bath house, a drugstore, a taxi company, a lawyer, and even glassware).

The second item is by "Semper Idem" (pseud. trans. "Always the Same") The "Blue Book". Privately Printed, 1936. 8vo, blue (of course) cloth, Limited Edition, 77 numbered pp. Title page bills this as A Bibliographical Attempt to describe the Guide Books to the houses of ill fame in New Orleans as they were published there. Together with some pertinent and illuminating remarks pertaining to the Establishments and Courtesans as well as to Harlotry in general in New Orleans.

Both very good. Dampstain on rear cover and last half of first volume. Minor sunning of spine of second volume.

(EST $1500-$2000)

Price Realized: $1,880.00

Price includes buyer's premium.