An extremely rare British bookstore promotional poster for Madonna's controversial coffee table book Sex, released on 21st October 1992 by Warner Books, the day after the release of her fifth studio album Erotica. The aluminium-bound book came sealed in a silver mylar bag with a warning label, and featured 128 pages of erotica and sexual fantasies written by Madonna, with photographs taken by Steven Meisel and film frames shot by Fabien Baron. With a first printing of one milion copies, the book had the largest initial release of any illustrated book in publishing history. An immediate commercial success, Sex sold over 150,000 copies on the first day of release and by 8th November had topped the New York Times bestseller list. The book remains the fastest selling coffee table book of all time. A similar version of this poster reads Sex will be back in December, so one can tentatively date this poster, reading Sex is back in stock, to December 1992. 

Despite it's commercial success, the book launched a media storm of negative criticism. Today, academics consider the transgressive Sex era as a defining phase in Madonna's career and the book as a bold, post-feminist work of art. Madonna said at the time that she was ...doing this to liberate America — free us all of our hang-ups. The book has never been reprinted following it's original release, making it one of the most consistently sought after out of print books among collectors.

Condition

Excellent (A-)

Backed on linen. Prior to backing this poster had one vertical and three horizontal fold lines with visible wear and pinholes to corners and edges. Backing and light colour touching has smoothed and diminished the fold lines and pinholes, ensuring this poster looks spectacular for display. Image and colours excellent.