Fanny Hill in Warsaw

Who doesn't know the title Fanny Hill ? That's probably why, quite by accident, while browsing the website of a prominent British antiquarian bookshop Peter Harrington , I took a look at the ones offered there Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure John Cleland . And I came across a charming, bibliophile tidbit.

Cleland's book was first published in two parts in November 1748 and February 1749. Commonly known as Fanny Hill is probably the most popular erotic novel in Europe. Although it did not bring the author financial success or recognition. Cleland he died in poverty and oblivion in 1789.

Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure in Harrington's offer comes from one of many 18th-century editions, from 1781. What makes it unusual (and justifies the high price – £22,500)? It is simply one of two known and catalogued copies of this edition. The other is in… the University Library in Warsaw. Well, you can find it in our libraries too… treasures .

Above: Illustration from the 1766 English edition. Unlike the 1781 edition, which is unfortunately not illustrated.