Prospectus for Naked Lunch.
New York: Grove Press, 1962 Stock Code: 145606
Uncommon prospectus for Naked Lunch inscribed by Burroughs
First edition of the scarce prospectus for the first US edition of Naked Lunch, inscribed by Burroughs on the front cover, "For Art William Burroughs"; a key document heralding the publication of a cornerstone of Beat literature and one which provides valuable insight into its early publication history and the extent to which early criticism was informed by the legal battles surrounding the obscenity trial. The prospectus is very scarce signed or inscribed.Issued to accompany the novel's publication in America on 20 November 1962, the contents include critical essays by Terry Southern and E. S. Seldon not published elsewhere, an 8-page excerpt from the novel, and reviews from John Ciardi of The Saturday Review ("Naked Lunch is a monumentally moral descent into the hell of narcotic addiction"), Norman Mailer ("Burroughs is the only American novelist living today who may conceivably be possessed by genius"), Robert Lowell ("one of the most alive books written by any American for years"), and Jack Kerouac ("Burroughs is the greatest satirical writer since Jonathan Swift The net result of Naked Lunch will be to make people shudder at their own lies").
We have been unable to trace the recipient, Art.
Description
Octavo, 16 pp. Original pictorial wrappers.
Illustrations
Black and white photograph of Burroughs to front cover.
Condition
Wrappers lightly toned, with minuscule tear to bottom corner tip of front cover, faint creasing to top right corner, contents bright and clean; a very good copy.
DELIVERY
With the exception of framed items*, Peter Harrington offers free delivery on all UK orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website. Delivery to USA and the rest of the world is similarly free for orders over £200.
ABOUT US
Established in 1969, Peter Harrington is one of the leading rare book firms in the world. It is a proud member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association – along with ILAB, the PBFA and Lapada – and from shops in Mayfair and Chelsea, London, sells rare books, prints and ephemera to customers across the world.
Email: mail@peterharrington.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 0220
