Your Sex Problems Answered.
[New York: The American Social Hygiene Association,], 1941. First edition under this title. The content of the work was first published under the title Sex Problems and Advice from the Private Papers of Mrs. Jardine McCree in 1938. Vignettes, diagrams of reproductive organs, and photo reproductions throughout. Some toning to back cover and margins. A very good copy of this rare sex education manual. Publisher’s printed paper wrappers with a woman’s portrait to front cover. Quarto. [32] pp. Item #17276
Jardine McCree was a Los Angeles-based health educator whose lectures accompanied the exploitation films of the 1920s and 30s. Her name was likely assumed to protect her identity, as exploitation films were age-restricted and separated from mainstream Hollywood entertainment for their suggestive content. In his book on the history of exploitation films, Eric Schaefer writes, “At some point during the show…the lecturer would address the audience on the subject of the film…Lecturers were often given phony credentials or were affiliated with bogus health organizations. As the ploy evolved, the speaker was given a fake name and biography that announced [them] as ‘an eminent sex commentator.’ Though men dominated the lecturer role, women did speak at some films,” (p. 16). The present work was likely developed from the content of McCree’s lectures. She takes a progressive view on sex, stating that “The organs of sex, are not mysterious, nor is there anything improper connected with their study…There is nothing unclean in the entire make up of sex or the subject.” McCree speaks openly on topics like gay and lesbian sexuality, nudism, masturbation, pregnancy, and impotence, and even includes a lengthy “Dictionary of Sex” at the beginning of the work. She also encourages her readers to get the Wasserman blood test for syphilis, which was heavily promoted by exploitation film lecturers and discussed in the films themselves.
Schaefer, Eric. “Bold! Daring! Shocking! True!” A History of Exploitation Films, 1919-1959.
Price: $250.00