OAKLEY, Gilbert
OAKLEY, Gilbert
London: Walton Press, 1964. First edition. 248pp; frontis; illustrated fold-out plate at center; glossary. Blue textured paper boards; gilt spine titles; dust jacket. Mild foxing to textblock fore-edge and top. Else near fine in a very good (+) jacket, unclipped, with rubbing to spine; a bright, clean copy.
A presumably spurious biography of one Julian Griffiths (1930-1960), detailing his early gender dysphoria, experiments with crossdressing, and transition into a woman, Juliet, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in Casablanca in 1950. Oakley throughout cites from the literature then available on the subject, and presents various medical and psychological documents intended to lend veracity to the tale. However, in a 2011 post on trans history website A Gender Variance Who's Who, author Zagria raises significant doubts about Oakley's claims, finding virtually no supporting evidence for any of the people or events cited in his book. Uncommon in the trade, particularly in such presentable condition. OCLC locates 23 institutional holdings.