She-Male.
WADE, Carlson
New York: Epic Publishing Co. Inc.. 1963.
Description:
First edition. 8vo. 202x135mm. pp. 192. 32 leaves of black and white photographs. Publishers red cloth, very slightly rubbed to extremities. Original illustrated dustjacket, chipped to top and bottom edge and with two repaired tears (tape visible). A previous seller has handwritten $5-00 in black marker pen on the upper cover of the dustjacket. Internally very good. This first edition is rare in commerce, only one copy appearing in the auction records and nine located by Worldcat.
Coccinelle was the stage name of Jacqueline Charlotte Dufresnoy (1931-2006), a transgender woman regarded as among the first to undergo gender reassignment. "Dr Burou (her surgeon) rectified the mistake nature had made and I became a real woman, on the inside as well as the outside. After the operation, the doctor just said, 'Bonjour, Mademoiselle', and I knew it had been a success."
As well as a career as a cabaret singer, she founded the organisation "Devenir Femme" to lobby and provide support for transgender people. Her marriage in 1962 was the first time a person who had undergone gender reassignment was recorded as legally permitted to marry in France thus breaking legal ground. She-Male tells the Coccinelle's story up to and including her surgery. Carlson Wade wrote on medical matters and this is, despite the somewhat sensationalist sub-title, a serious engagement with the psychological and physical processes at work.
Description:
First edition. 8vo. 202x135mm. pp. 192. 32 leaves of black and white photographs. Publishers red cloth, very slightly rubbed to extremities. Original illustrated dustjacket, chipped to top and bottom edge and with two repaired tears (tape visible). A previous seller has handwritten $5-00 in black marker pen on the upper cover of the dustjacket. Internally very good. This first edition is rare in commerce, only one copy appearing in the auction records and nine located by Worldcat.
Coccinelle was the stage name of Jacqueline Charlotte Dufresnoy (1931-2006), a transgender woman regarded as among the first to undergo gender reassignment. "Dr Burou (her surgeon) rectified the mistake nature had made and I became a real woman, on the inside as well as the outside. After the operation, the doctor just said, 'Bonjour, Mademoiselle', and I knew it had been a success."
As well as a career as a cabaret singer, she founded the organisation "Devenir Femme" to lobby and provide support for transgender people. Her marriage in 1962 was the first time a person who had undergone gender reassignment was recorded as legally permitted to marry in France thus breaking legal ground. She-Male tells the Coccinelle's story up to and including her surgery. Carlson Wade wrote on medical matters and this is, despite the somewhat sensationalist sub-title, a serious engagement with the psychological and physical processes at work.