Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious, by D. H. Lawrence, London Martin Secker, 1923, with stamp on title page for BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF SEX PSYCHOLOGY, red cloth boards with paper label to spine and gilt text for B.S.S.S.P LIBRARY

Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious - Lawrence intended this book to be a retort to the Freudian theory of the day, although he admits the work to be “pseudo-philosophy”. Six topics are covered: psychoanalysis vs morality; the incest motive and idealism; the birth of consciousness; the child and his mother; the lover and the beloved; and human relations and the unconscious. This copy is from the library of the British Society for the study of Sex Psychology (BSSSP), a now-defunct society. The BSSSP was founded in 1913 with the intention to pursue societal and political reforms towards sex and sexuality, with a particular focus on improving the understanding and acceptance of homosexuality.

D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930) was an incredibly diverse and prolific writer, his body of work including poems, plays, short stories and novels, non-fiction essays, travel writing, critique, translations and even paintings. During his time, Lawrence faced censorship, misrepresentation and ridicule. The poor understanding of his work is likely due to his artistic emphasis on how modernity and industrialisation has dehumanised us. Lawrence sought to undo Victorian-era norms towards sexuality, society and culture.