Storm (two volumes)

The Obelisk Press. [KAHANE, Jack]; NEAGOE, Peter - Storm (two volumes) First edition - Paris: New Review Publications (1932), Second edition - Paris: The Obelisk Press (1932) First edition: 8vo; original beige wrappers, with the titles and design printed in navy blue and orange; pp. [viii], 9-179, [i]; a crease to the top right-hand corner of the upper panel, with some minor wear to the spine ends, overall, a nice copy in very good or better condition. Second [first Obelisk] edition: crown 8vo, original green wrappers printed in black; pp [x], 11-304, [i]; printed with the contents at the back; The spine sunned, the front panel with a couple of ink spots and other soiling, edges and endpapers a little spotted, the flyleaf with an old price written in red pencil, overall, good to very good. Peter Neagoe came from Romania, and his childhood was spent around farmers and sheep herders. He immigrated to the US, but it was his early experiences that would form the basis of his writing career. It all started for him through Eugene Jolas and his renowned Paris based magazine Transition. He wrote short stories about his childhood. Then in 1932, as assistant editor of New Review Magazine he persuaded the editor to publish his own short story collection Storm, with his friend Eugene Jolas providing an introductory letter. Neagoe, with freshly minted copies in his possession, flew back to the United States, but to his dismay US customs officials banned the publication for [occasional] erotic content. This alerted a certain Jack Kahane, who agreed with Neagoe a second expanded edition, without a contribution from a disgusted Jolas. A friendship was ruined, and a controversial book was born. Kahane made sure the rear panel of the second edition highlighted its status as a controversial book in all its glory, with various quotes establishing its credentials. . Very Good. Soft cover. 1st Edition. 1st Printing. 1932.