Presented in this lot is a First Edition of "Aphrodite: mœurs antiques" by Pierre Louÿs, 1896, Librairie Borel, Paris, France publisher, A. Calbet illustrations, Randeynes et Fils book binders. "Aphrodite: Moeurs antiques" by Pierre Louÿs is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores themes of love, sensuality, and the status of women through the lens of ancient cultures, particularly set in Alexandria. The novel gives a view about the lives of temple prostitutes in the days of god & goddess worship, Aphrodite and Astarte the most prominent. The story is presented as a series of fictional letters written by the character Chrysis, a courtesan and priestess of Aphrodite. Pierre-Félix Louÿs (1870-1925) was a Belgian poet and writer known as a writer who sought to "express pagan sensuality with stylistic perfection". Antoine Calbet was known for his colorful, youthful, somewhat risqué pictures of women, had won medals at several of the Paris Salons (1863, 1880, 1891, 1892, 1893) and the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. He was a prolific illustrator of books (Zola, Barres) and magazines and his best know commission is probably the luxurious Train Bleu restaurant at Paris’s Gare de Lyon, where he painted delightful panels depicting the cities of Nice, Evian, Nîmes and Grenoble. The red colour Morocco leather bound gold gilt hardcover is in very nice condition, five raised bands on spine, marbled velvet boards and end papers. Intact gold gilt top edge pages are in very nice condition, tight binding, age tanning exhibited. Marbled boards slipcase is in good overall condition, slight scuffing noted to cover edges. Measures 4.25"W x 7"L x 1.5"D, combined weight is 1lb, 6oz.