Raunchy 17th Century Sex Manual Goes Under The Hammer
A sex manual from the 17th century, packed with graphic tips and erotic images, is going under the hammer next month. Aritstoteles ‘Master-Piece’, dubbed the dirtiest book of the time, was sold secretly from under the counters of bookshops for centuries. Its contents are a bizarre mix of superstition and facts, advising readers in the art of love-making and offering tips on subjects like pregnancy and romance. The first edition copy - one of only three known to be in existence - is expected to fetch up to £15,000 at an auction in London
Ye Olde Shades Of Grey
Aristoteles ‘Master-Piece’ wasn’t actually written by Aristotle but an anonymous author. Chapters include ‘Of the benefit of marriage to both sexes’, ‘Of the privities’ and ‘The use and action of the genitals’. (SWNS)
Interesting Illustration
The book contains a number of illustrations alongside the sex advice, including this one of a monster ‘with four feet, eyes, mouth, and nose like a calf, with a piece of flesh like a hood hung from his neck.’ (SWNS)
Sage Advice
The book advises women not to talk, cough or sneeze after sex if they wish to conceive. (SWNS)
Monster Mixture
One of the book’s most bizarre illustrations shows a half woman half dog hybrid. (SWNS)
Winged Creature
The odd illustrations of monsters sit alongside advice for couples, such as: ‘When the husband cometh into his wives chamber, he must entertain her with all kind of dalliance, wanton behaviour, and allurements to venery.’ (SWNS)
Dodgy Science
This picture, according to the book, shows a woman who is ‘hairy like a bear’ because her mother ‘carneftly beheld in the very instant of receiving and conceiving the seed, the images of St John covered with a camel skin.’ (SWNS)
Man Child
The last chapter of the book informs readers that in 1529 on 9 January ‘there was a man-child born in Germany having four arms and as many legs’. (SWNS)
