Gamiani

The authorship of Gamiani has long been attributed to Alfred Musset and Georges Sand [the second part] but never proven. The first edition, published in Paris 1833, was a large but slim volume of 26 pages with 12 lithographs in b/w attributed to Achille Dev?ria and H. Grevedon. The text itself was printed in columns, reproduced by lithography from a calligraphic manuscript. Since the first edition, Gamiani has been re-published and translated numerous times and continues to be published to this day.

Notes to the Checklist

The checklist covers only those English translations published between 1864 and 1953. The entries are sorted by the year shown on the title page, even though the edition may have been published later (or earlier); and where that's known it will be noted in brackets. If the title page lacks a year but an estimated date of publication is known the estimated date is used. Those titles without a date and without an estimated publication date are listed at the end of the checklist.

1. GAMIANI or Two Nights of Excess

   [First English Edition]. An English Translation of Alfred de Musset's Work. Paris [London]: 1864. 8vo. 2 volumes. 80pp. 56 and 35. 16 small lithographs [4½ x 2¾]

   Published by Willian Dugdale. Probably translated by Campbell Reddie. It's possible there is an even earlier edition of 'Gamiani', noted in volume 2 of Louisa Selby '1822' [c.1836] but no copy, that I'm aware of, has been found.

   (Rose: 1907 (B.A.155).  Notes to Mendes: 41-A)

2. GAMIANI or Two extra-voluptuous nights

   By a party of three: The countess G., Miss Fanny B. and a Student. M. A. de M.. Venosa: [n.d., c.1882].

   12mo. 10 engravings in color.

   This edition may have been published by Gay.

   (Rose: 1903 (B.A.270).  Notes to Mendes: 41-A)

3. GAMIANI Or Two Extra-Voluptous Nights

   II. [S.I.: n.p., n.d. c.1890].

   95pp. 2 parts in one volume. Printed on laid paper watermarked Ingres.

   Published by Augustin Brancart. Possibly illustrated with 10 engravings per a c.1890 advert but Mendes does not indicate there are illustrations in the copy seen.

   (Mendes: 41-A.  Bibliothèque Nationale: 147)

4. GAMIANI or Two extra-voluptuous nights

   by a third party of three: Young Countess de C....Miss Fanny B....A Virgin and a Student: A. DE M.. London: James Thomson & Co., 1891 [c.1908].

   In-8. 132pp. Printed on laid paper.

   (Mendes: 41-B.  Kinsey: 843.7 M98 g2E 1891)

5. GAMIANI or Two extra-voluptuous nights...

   London [N.Y.?]: James Thomson & Co., 1891 [c.1935].

   Small 8vo. 124pp. Limited edition of 250 copies. 4 original watercolor drawings by Clara Tice.

   (Libertine Literature; Parke-Bernet Galleries, Sale No.3194, April 27, 1971, #174)

6. GAMIANI or Two extra-voluptuous nights...

   London: James Thomson & Co., 1891 [c.1950].

   Small 8vo. 124pp.

   Printed in Paris, this edition is a reprint of Mendes 41-B [c.1908] above with the same titlepage.

   (Bookseller holding: Stormgart Books, 03/08/05)

7. GAMIANI, or Two Passionate Nights

   By Baron Alcide de Mxxx. A literal translation of the original French Edition (Brussels, 1833). London: 1907 [c.1928].

   In-8. 134pp. Limited edition of 300 copies. Printed on wove paper watermarked BFK RIVES. 8 b/w photogravure plates [possibly by Paul Avril] on 'Japanese vellum' tipped in with tissue guards. All text pages and plates enclosed in blue, decorative frame.

   Possibly published in Paris by Charles Hirsch.

   (Mendes: 41-C)

8. GAMIANI, or Two Passionate Nights

   By Baron Alcide de M***. A literal translation of the original French Edition (Brussels, 1833). Paris: Mont Venus Press, 1907.

   15cm. 134pp.

   (University of Kansas: B801)

9. GAMIANI, or Two Passionate Nights

   By Baron Alcide de Mxxx. A literal translation of the original French Edition (Brussels, 1833). London: 1908 [c.1928?].

   In-8. 134pp. 1-14pp. - Preface. 17-25pp.- 'Extracts from the memoirs of Countess C...'. Printed on smooth wove paper watermarked BFK. 8 b/w photogravure plates, same as in Mendes: 41-C above except reduced in size. No blue frames enclosing the pages.

   Possibly published in Paris by Charles Hirsch, probably printed by Maurice Duflou.

   (Mendes: 41-D.  Rose: 1905.   British Library: P.C.26.c.2.  University of Sydney: Deane Ero. D.6.16)

10. GAMIANI, or Two Nights of Excess

    By Alcide, Baron d'M****. Translated with notes and an introduction by A. Mentula. With illustrations after the Belgian Artist Felician Rops. [S.I.: The Dorian Club, 1923.

    21cm. vi [Bibliographic Introduction to the English Translation of Gamiani] + v [Preface to the French Edition] + 130pp. Frontispiece + 8 engravings "from the Edition of Poulet-Malasses, Brussels, 1870, attributed to Felicien Rops".

    In the copy seen the pagination starts at '25' with "Extract From The "Memoires of the Comtessa de C***" on the Author of Gamiani.*'. List of Illusrations: Gamiani and Fanny, p.38; The Lubricious Trio, p.44; Gamiani and the Monk, p.54; Alcide, Fanny and Gamiani, p.64; Saints and teh Orang-Outang, p.82; Gamiani and the Ass, p.108; The Nuns' Saturnalia, p.114; The Final Orgie, p.122.

    (Library of Congress: PQ2369.G3 E5 1923.  Kinsey: 843.7 M98 g2E 1923.  Private collection)

11. GAMIANI, or Two Passionate Nights

    By Baron Alcide de M***. A literal translation of the original French Edition (Brussels, 1833). Paris: Mont Venus Press, 1952.

    16mo. 134pp.

    With a six page introduction by the publisher and an extract from the Memoirs of the Countess of C***, concerning the author of Gamiani.

    (Bookseller holding: EgoBooks 03/08/05)

12. PASSIONS EVIL

    A. de M. Translated into English by Audiart. Paris: Olympia Press, 1953.

    19cm. 120pp.

    "Audiart" is a pseudonym used by Austryn Wainhouse.

    (Kinsey: 843.7 M98 g2E 1953.  Patrick Kearney)

Sources