AND FORMING PART OF THE PRIVATE JOURNAL OF HIS LORDSHIP, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ENTIRELY DESTROYED BY THOS. TO WHICH IS ADDED. LORD BYRON TO LADY BYRON. Published in 1934 by The Fortune Press. LIMITED EDITION PRINT RUN OF JUST 1000 COPIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE SAID TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. Originally written in the early 19th century and attributed to Lord Byron (still a matter of debate), Don Leon is unique in English literature. It is a powerful outcry against injustice, a moving and erudite defence of male love, and an account of Byron’s sexuality. Don Leon forcefully demands the repeal of Britain’s sodomy statute (Section 15 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1828), under which men and even adolescent boys were being hanged for having sex with each other. As a polemic for the emancipation of male love, Don Leon was far ahead of its time. Among neglected literary masterpieces, Don Leon heads the list – not only neglected, but vilified and rigorously suppressed. It is great poetry – a gay epic. At the same time it is undeniably pornographic. In 1934 when this edition was published by Fortune Press, it fell foul of the obscenity laws and was immediately confiscated by the Metropolitan police, who burned all the copies they could find, with only a few having survived. I’ve listed some other books which may be of interest. This item is in the category “Books, Comics & Magazines\Antiquarian & Collectable”. The seller is “avucian” and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom.
- Binding: Hardback
- Non-Fiction Subject: Literature, Poetry & Criticism
- Language: English
- Fiction Subject: Adult & Erotic
- Special Attributes: Limited Edition
- Author: Lord Byron
- Publisher: Fortune Press
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Year Printed: 1934
