(PROSTITUTION) The Blue book

Sale 2105 - Lot 335

Price Realized: $ 2,640

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000

THE NOTORIOUS BLUE BOOK: "DON'T OVERLOOK CORA" (PROSTITUTION.) The Blue book. Illustrations throughout, including several for Miss Hilma Burt's palatial premises. Small, square 8vo, original tan wrappers printed in blue; some light general wear; small closed tear the rear wrapper; tiny chip to bottom right corner of the front wrapper; damp-stains on last quarter of the pages. [New Orleans, circa 1916-17]

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This notorious little guide to the New Orleans "Queer Section," houses of "ill fame," was published annually from 1895-1917. The motto at the beginning was "Honi soi qui mal y pense" (Evil be to he who evil thinks). Beneath that is the explanation of the logic of the guide: "Because it puts the stranger on a proper and safe path." Prostitutes are listed by "White" and "Colored," and each section is alphabetical. Some fancier houses are illustrated, such as that of Miss Hilma Burt. Miss Cora De Witt, the proprietress of another establishment, is described as "one whole-souled member of the fair sex who is sterling . . . she also has a lot of jolly good girls as guests who are indeed superfine. Don't overlook Cora." All of the women's addresses are listed next to their names. Interspersed throughout are ads for champagnes, whiskies and Cuban cigars--everything one might desire in a fine old-fashioned brothel.