Genet (Jean) Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs, roman, first edition, number 118 of 350 copies, 7-line signed presentation inscription from the author incorporating the book's title, portrait of the author trimmed from magazine and laid onto title, David Diamond's copy with his blind-stamp to head of title, near-contemporary morocco-backed vellum with gilt lettering to spine and upper cover and with initials "D. D." to foot of spine, light rubbing, 4to, Monte-Carlo, au depens de l'auteur, [1942].

⁂ Genet's debut novel in an attractive binding with a lengthy, poetic, almost romantic inscription likely to the composer David Diamond. Regarded as scandalous upon initial publication, Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs has since been show to have an enduring impact, influencing the figures from the Beats to musicians and the filmmaker John Waters.

David Diamond (1915-2005), composer (see lot 315 also 58, 312 and 316). The inscription implies that the recipient is gay and may have at some point been a lover of Genet's. While it seems that Diamond and Genet moved in similar circles, we have been unable to establish whether the pair ever had a closer relationship.