Highly important ALS signed “D. H. L.,” one page both sides, 8.5 x 11.25, April 17, 1928. Lawrence writes from Florence to Juliette [Huxley, artist, writer, and wife of biologist and writer Julian Huxley]. In part: “I may laugh about some things about you. I laugh at you when you say ‘What if Anthony were sixteen, & read this novel!’ He’d be too bored at 16: but at twenty of course he should read it. Was your mind a sexual blank at sixteen? Is anybodys? And what ails the mind in that respect is that is has nothing to go on, it grinds away in abstraction.... I’ve been having a tussle with my novel: publisher, agents, etc. in London holding up hands of pious horror (because it may affect their pockets) & trying to make me feel disastrously in the wrong. Now the Knopfs write from New York they like it very much, & hope to be able to get it into shape to offer to the public. I doubt they can’t. But it’s nice of them. I’m in the midst of the proofs—hope to finish them this week. But I still haven’t chosen the cover paper. The orders came in very nicely from England. Are you risking a copy, or not?...” Within months of penning this letter, Lawrence’s ground-breaking novel, widely regarded as his greatest and most influential work, was privately published in Florence. The book’s frank, graphic, then-shocking exploration of human sexuality quickly earned it a notorious reputation virtually unmatched in the history of literature; it was banned across the world, led to scores of legal actions, and, as a result of England’s obscenity laws, was not published in Lawrence’s homeland until 1960—and then, after a protracted court battle. The book has since been recognized as one of the topmost classics of erotic literature. A single tiny chip to top edge, a few tiny, trivial edge tears, and pinholes at intersections of folds (affecting nothing), otherwise fine, clean condition. The above points are mentioned only for a level of strict accuracy befitting the importance of this letter; the appearance, in fact, is exceedingly handsome. Unquestionably one of the finest Lawrence letters ever to enter the market! LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
