In original wrappers and modern slipcase. 

Near very good condition, very light wear to spine extremities, minor soil to front wrapper (vol. 1), with crossed out mark to rear wrapper of vol. 2 ('New Price Frs 1200'). 

First edition, first printing. [One of 5 000 copies printed].

Nabokov completed 'Lolita' in December 1953, but faced rejection from several American publishers unwilling to take on the novel due to fears of negative repercussions from publishing what they considered a 'pornographic' work. Consequently, he sought a publisher in Paris, and in 1955, 'The Olympia Press' printed 5 000 copies of the novel. Shortly after, customs officials in the UK were instructed to seize copies of the book at the border. A year later, under pressure from the British government, 'Lolita' was banned in France as well. Despite widespread censorship, the book's success remained undiminished. Upon its eventual publication in the USA in 1958, it quickly climbed to the top of bestseller lists, selling 100 000 copies in the first few weeks.

'Lolita' was initially published with 'Francs: 900' printed on the rear covers, but a sudden currency fluctuation at the time of publication (according to another opinion – due to high sales that spurred the publisher) necessitated a repricing to 1,200 francs. Copies of the first issue appear either without a price change or with the bookseller's handwritten correction. The second issue featured the publisher's repricing done in various ways on the rear covers: a printed rectangular sticker, a round sticker with a handwritten price, the old price crossed out in ink, and the new price handwritten in.