LAWRENCE, D. H. (1885-1930). Lady Chatterley’s Lover. [Florence]: Privately Printed [Tipografia Giuntina], 1928. 8vo. [ii], 1-365, [3, blank] pp. Publisher’s mulberry boards, with Lawrence’s phoenix motif stamped in black on the front board, and printed paper label on the spine. FIRST EDITION OF LAWRENCE’S MOST FAMOUS (AND INFAMOUS) NOVEL, #748/1,000 COPIES SIGNED BY HIM ON AN INSERTED LEAF AT FRONT. This novel was rejected by publishers in England and the United States due to obscenity concerns. Lawrence contacted Italian bookseller Giuseppe Orioli, who arranged for the book to be published in Florence in an edition of 1,000 copies. Despite the fact that this controversial novel was banned in the two largest English-speaking markets (England and the United States), the first edition sold out in six months. 

Spine very slightly toned, light wear to spine edges, front joint just starting with some tearing, a short tear to rear joint near bottom, upper front corner bumped and slightly worn, minor occasional rubbing to boards, faint soiling to front hinge near top, many pages unopened at top. Still, near fine. Housed in modern quarter black morocco clamshell case.