The most famous modern dynasty in the publishing of erotica is centred in Paris. Before the war an Anglo-Irishman named Jack Kahane founded the Obelisk Press and published Joyce's "Haveth Childers" (a foretaste of "Finnegan's Wake"), Durrell's "The Black Book", Conolly's "The Rock Pool," and Harris's "Life and Loves".

His son, Maurice Girodias, continued the family business and has published Nabokov's "Lolita", Donleavy's "The Ginger bread Man" and Burrough's "The Naked Lunch". The firm now publishes as Olympia Press.

In 1972 "Scorpio" ran an article, "Is Maurice Girodias Being Forced Out of Pornography?", indicating the immense difficulties under which he was operating. At the same time there appears to be an increasing willingness to admit that Girodias has made a significant and enduring contribution to modern literature. After all he was even asked to contribute a piece to "To Deprave and Corrupt ...," a compilation including items from such respectable people as Lord Birkett and Norman St. John-Stevas.