A rare first edition of Imre: A Memorandum – one of the most important novels in the history of American gay and lesbian literature – has sold for $12,000. The book, which was AbeBooks’ most expensive sale in April, was written by Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson under the pen-name of pseudonym Xavier Mayne.

Published privately in 1906, Imre: A Memorandum is considered influential because it is essentially a homosexual love story where the relationship is portrayed in a positive light . Prime-Stevenson (1868-1942) was an American author who turned away from a legal career to become a mainstream writer. However, he also wrote under the pen-name of Xavier Mayne and this book was a landmark in homosexual culture.

Read more about Imre and see our top 10 most expensive sales.