Published in ‘Bruxelles’ (though probably from the publisher’s offices in Toulouse) by Françis Flores, Les débordements de Michou (literally Michou’s Overflowings) is a self-explanatory title which tells you that this is yet another account of over-the-top sexual awakening. The text had first appeared in an anonymous text-only clandestine publication of 1903 entitled Roman de la luxure (Romance of Lust), so was an easy title for Flores to add to his list. As with many similar titles, it was almost immediately banned by the French censors.

The anonymous illustrations are printed by photogravure in yellowish-brown on thin semi-gloss card, in a semi-photographic style uncommon in erotic illustration, but very much of the mid-1950s. They are by the same hand as Ambre la précoce, which you can see here; it would appear that the artist had developed their style between the two volumes, as the Michou illustrations are generally better drawn and composed, many of them experimenting with a flowing background to match the débordements of the title.

Les débordements de Michou was issued in a limited numbered edition of 800 copies.

We are grateful to Steve Mullins of the Olympia Press website (www.parisolympiapress.com) for these illustrations.