THE PASSION FLOWER HOTEL

First edition, first printing. Advance review copy. Publisher's original pink cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the R. G. Williamson designed dustwrapper. Top edge blue. A publisher's review slip fixed to the epigraph. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping to the spine tips. The contents, with a little scuff and a small indentation to the front pastedown and a couple of small foxing spots to the rear endpapers, are otherwise clean and without inscriptions or stamps. The top edge of the text block is a little faded and spotted. Complete with the lightly rubbed, creased and toned dustwrapper that is spotted to the flap folds and edges, and otherwise without loss or tears. Not price-clipped (15s. net to the lower front flap).

An erotic comedy novel, Rosalind Erskine's story of an English girls' boarding school setting up a "service" for the local boys' school in lieu of receiving formal sex education caused a sensation upon publication, and became a bestseller. The book's true authorship would later be revealed as Roger Erskine Longrigg (1929-2000), a prolific novelist of Scottish historical novels, spy and mystery thrillers, and black comedies, all published under a female pseudonym. Two sequels followed, 'Passion Flowers in Italy' (1964) and 'Passion Flowers in Business' (1965). The basis for the 1978 German language film 'Leidenschaftliche Blümchen', directed by André Farwagi and starring Nastassja Kinski. It also formed the basis for a 1965 musical by John Barry and Trevor Peacock, produced by Gene Gutowski, that ran for 148 performances in London and starred Francesca Annis, Jeremy Clyde, and Jane Birkin.