With the publication of its _Records_, under the title of _ANTHOLOGICA
RARISSIMA_, the _Brovan Society_, which has been formed to carry out
research work into the less-known and more curious folk-lore and
literature of Europe and the Orient, takes leave to explain its aims
and aspirations.
There exists in the literature of all countries a multitude of books
not usually accorded public circulation. Yet these books contain some
of the most life-like and diverting material ever fashioned by human
pen. Their contents have stood the test of time and taste, and to-day,
though publicly ignored, they are privately applauded. The trend of
these books is, in the main, erotic, or so frank as to relegate them
to the category of improper or “privately printed.” Some have never
come under the hands of an English translator: others in such limited
editions as to make their existence negligible so far as the average
student is concerned.
_Anthologica Rarissima_ is a modest attempt to remedy this state of
affairs. In a series of volumes the editors will put before their
readers the cream of what is tantamount to a small library, and a
library not often seen on the book-lover’s shelves. Herein will be
found, set out in plain English, curious and diverting extracts from
some of the world’s most remarkable works. The text will be literal
and unexpurgated. Nothing of interest to the student of folk-lore,
psychology and literature will be omitted or glossed over, for the
editors believe that a classic castrated is a classic spoilt. The
_Records_ throughout will be enriched by copious notes and valuable
bibliographical references.
So far as the compilers are aware, no similar anthology exists in the
English tongue. It purports to put within reach of the student and
bibliophile comprehensive and representative excerpts from writers,
the possession of whose works would entail time and expense beyond the
means of many collectors.
At present it is impossible to give a full list of the authors from
whom we shall quote. Mention of such names as those of Sir Richard
Burton, Casanova, Aretino, the Marquis de Sade, Wilkes, Boccaccio,
Bandello, Masuccio, Straparola, Rabelais, Lucian, Apuleius,
Aristophanes, Sinistrari, Nicolas Chorier, Poggio, J. S. Farmer,
John Payne, La Fontaine, Chaucer, Brantôme, Sellon, Pisanus Fraxi,
Payne Knight, Havelock Ellis, Bloch, Huhner, Forel and Kraft-Ebing,
will give some idea of the work contemplated. Special attention will
be paid to the less-known folk-lore of Europe and the Orient, as
portrayed in those remarkable books, _Kruptadia_, _Untrodden Fields of
Anthropology_, _The Kama Sutra_, _The Ananga Ranga_, _The Perfumed
Garden_, _The Old Man Young Again_, _Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles_,
_Ethnology of the Sixth Sense_, _The Book of Exposition_, _Priapeia_,
_Genital Laws_, _Marriage Ceremonies and Priapic Rites_, and _Des
Divinités Génératrices_.
_Anthologica Rarissima_, for reasons which will seem as regrettable
as absurd to the student and collector, must ever be a privately
printed work; its tone, though erotic, is in no sense pornographic.
The extracts have been selected with care, and always with an eye to
artistry and bibliographical value. The complete issue, extending to
many volumes, will form an unique collection in the English tongue of a
type of literature far too little known in this country.
The subject of our first volume--virginity and its treatment in fable,
_conte_, and legend--is far from exhausted in these pages. It will be
necessary to devote another _Record_ to the theme at a later date.
Meanwhile, we have in preparation Vol. 2: “_The Way of a Priest_,” Vol.
3: “_The Way of a Wife_,” Vol. 4: “_The Way of a Husband_,” and Vol. 5:
“_The Way of Love_.” This last, culled from such authorities as Ovid,
Martial, Catullus, Aretino, Forberg, Veniero, and the authors of _The
Kama Sutra_, _The Perfumed Garden_, and _The Ananga Ranga_, should
prove the most complete treatise on the _Ars Amandi_ ever published in
the English language.
In conclusion, we can only reiterate what was said at the outset--that
this work is the outcome of a project to give the English student and
collector the cream of a rare and remarkable literature.
We wish to lay special emphasis on the literal nature of our text,
having often sacrificed style to preserve it. When translating from
French, where an English translation already existed, we have never
failed to compare and work upon the two versions for the composition of
our extract.
_Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles_ is a case in point, the old French text
and Mr. R. B. Douglas’ English translation both being utilised in our
_Record_. The same applies to Casanova; each line of his _Memoirs_, as
existing in the privately printed English translation, has been closely
compared with Garnier’s French text; while Aretino’s _Dialogues_ will
be scrutinised in no fewer than three languages. Our aim throughout has
been to put before the reader a rendering in English which most exactly
approximates to the original work of the author in question.
_THE EDITORS._