BRITTON, David. Michael Butterworth, Editor and edited by [ From the David Tibet collection ].

Lord Horror [ On the Isle of Lord Horror ].

Manchester: Savoy, 1990 (1989). First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 192pp. Black composite boards with gilt lettering to spine and upper board. Bibliography, list of Illustrations, list of plates, Index. The first and only edition of this surreal mixture of philosophy, graphic violence, anti-Semitism and alternative history - which was the last literary work to be banned in Britain on grounds of obscenity. The title-character - "Lord Horror" is a Nazi psychopath loosely modelled on the British born Nazi propagandist William Joyce ("Lord Haw-Haw"). It was the relentless, gruesome, and sometimes absurd descriptions of anti-Jewish violence that led to the book being declared obscene, and an order made to destroy all copies, by a Manchester magistrate in August 1991. The subject matter of the book caused some discomfort in British literary circles, with few coming to its defence: notable exceptions being Michael Moorcock and Colin Wilson, who despite being put off by its "violence and sadism" observed that "as an exercise in Surrealism, 'Lord Horror' compares with some of the best work that came out of France and Germany between the wars." The court appeal was led by the celebrated human rights barrister Geoffrey Roberston, QC, who had previously acted for the defence in a number of notable criminal trials including those of OZ magazine, Gay News, the ABC Trial, the play The Romans in Britain, and who, in the year prior to the banning of "Lord Horror," had led he defence team for a Canadian artist Rick Gibson, and art gallery director Peter Sylveire, who were charged with outraging public decency for exhibiting earrings made from human foetuses. The appeal, heard in Manchester Crown Court in July 1992, was successful, with the presiding Judge Gerard Humphries agreeing with Robertson that the book was unlikely to fuel anti-Semitism, and that to read the work would require someone "to digest large amounts of philosophy and complex argument", something those with no more than prurient interest were likely to do. Despite this the seized copies were not returned, and the book remains genuinely rare. The author, David Edward Britton (1945-2020), was a book and record seller, and illustrator, as well as being an writer. Although "Lord Horror" has the publication year 1990 it was apprently released in 1989. This copy from the library of British artist, writer and musician DAVID TIBET (founder of the music group Current 93) with his OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE on the first blank. Upper spine lightly bruised, just a hint of shelfwear - else a tight, clean near Fine copy in mylar proctected VG+ dust jacket. (Dust jacket has a hint of modest shelf-war with a bit of light creasing at edges). Very scarce. Item #68388
ISBN: 0861300726

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