What lies beneath the most controversial works of early erotic literature

He published a new, revised edition six years later under the title La nouvelle Justine, this was later supplemented by a new extension under the title L'Histoire de Juliette, sa soeur. Due to the pornographic images featured in the novel, which were deemed as obscene, the text was banned in 1798 and Sade was imprisoned in 1801.

De Sade's erotic works combine philosophy with pornography, laden with images of sexual fantasies, some which were violent and blasphemous against the Catholic Church. He aspired to the ultimate extreme freed, unrestrained by morality, religion and law. It is no surprise, that the words ''sadism'' and ''sadist'' derive from his name.

De Sade spent 32 years in both prisons and insane asylums, with many of his works written whilst he was detained.

One of de Sade's most famous works was La philosophie dans le boudoir, 1795 (Philosophy in the Boudoir.) The socio-political drama, which at the time it was published was labelled a work of pornography, is set in a bedroom with the two protagonists arguing the importance of the the libertine philosophy in France, which if ignored, could see the return of the monarchy.

The work includes one of de Sade's most infamous writings: a pamphlet on the new republican government which makes the case for atheism and also argues that if any crime is committed while seeking pleasure, it cannot be condemned.

An expert of the works of John Cleland, David Foxon concludes that this version of Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure is the second known edition of the work, dated 1760.

John Cleland's erotic epistolary novel Fanny Hill (in the original English subtitled Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) is told from the perspective of a woman, portraying the protagonist's sexual life in 18th century England. Cleland's lead character indulges the reader in her erotic adventures with a number of men. A woman as protagonist of their own erotic biography makes this work one of the most oppressed books of literary history from the 18th century. It was only in 1963 it was fully acquitted by a New York tribunal.

All works featured will be in Koller's sale on 24th September. From 19th-24th September Old Master and 19th century painting, porcelain, jewellery and furniture will also be going under the gavel. Check out the full catalogue here.