Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Burroughs, William S. The Naked Lunch. Ullstein Band 2843.. Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$7.01 + shipping
Description: Ausreichend/Acceptable: Exemplar mit vollständigem Text und sämtlichen Abbildungen oder Karten. Schmutztitel oder Vorsatz können fehlen. Einband bzw. Schutzumschlag weisen unter Umständen starke Gebrauchsspuren auf. / Describes a book or dust jacket that has the complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, dust jacket (if any), etc may also be worn.
Seller: medimops, Berlin, Germany
Burroughs, William S. The Naked Lunch. Ullstein Band 2843.. Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$7.96 + shipping
Description: Befriedigend/Good: Durchschnittlich erhaltenes Buch bzw. Schutzumschlag mit Gebrauchsspuren, aber vollständigen Seiten. / Describes the average WORN book or dust jacket that has all the pages present.
Seller: medimops, Berlin, Germany
Price: US$49.95 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Corners show slight wear, top and bottom of spine show a bit more wear with one small tear, a few nicks/scuffs to right edge of spine, front cover has two tiny divots. otherwise book is clean and presentable. Binding is solid. Photos on request.
Seller: Recycle Bookstore, San Jose, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$50.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Near VG. 8vo, 160pp, printed wrappers. The significant first issue of this important and influential Beat Generation literary magazine, containing the content of the suppressed Winter 1959 Chicago Review. Includes a selection from Naked Lunch (Schottlaender C6), plus Old Angel Midnight by Kerouac, three poems by Gregory Corso, and writing by Edward Dahlberg. Unmarked copy, internally sound with some toning and light stains to covers (and first interior leaf), a little spine lean.
Seller: Philip Smith, Bookseller, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$51.31 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: paperback, 226pp, edges slightly browned, text clean and sound, no inscriptions, original green card wraps, edges rubbed, bumped at base of spine with a small tape repair; Good condition
Seller: BRIMSTONES, Lewes, United Kingdom
William Burroughs. The Nakes Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$104.73 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First true European edition. Read, but in a fine condition. Pages clean and bright. As well as cover and back. Normal light wear to spine. Minimal edge wear. Some information about the edition: "The book was originally published with the title The Naked Lunch in Paris in July 1959 by Olympia Press. Because of US obscenity laws, a complete American edition (by Grove Press) did not follow until 1962. It was titled Naked Lunch and was substantially different from the Olympia Press edition because it was based on an earlier 1958 manuscript in Allen Ginsberg's possession."
Seller: Homeless Books, Berlin, Germany
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. Traveller's companion Olympia press, 1959.
Price: US$128.28 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Book in very good condition. Has price of 18 francs n rear which i understand is a later printing Clean unmarked contents.Hint foxing to top block edge. Slight rubbing to top and base spine. Small rubbed area near name. Images available on request
Seller: Barney's books, Beer, DEVON, United Kingdom
Price: US$160.35 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Original green card cover; has price of 18 francs on rear; foxing; text clean & clear; edges browned; no inscriptions; crease runs across page 167 & 168
Seller: B and A books, Banff, United Kingdom
Burroughs, William. The Naked Lunch.. Paris, The Olympia Press 1959. 1959, 1959.
Price: US$164.34 + shipping
Description: First edition. 226, (2) pp. Original green printed wrappers. Front egde slightly soiled, inside back cover soiled. Later issue with new price (18 francs) printed on lower cover. (The Traveller's Companion Series 76).
Seller: Rönnells Antikvariat AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Price: US$185.33 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description:
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch - US 1st EDITION, 1st PRINTING. Grove Press, 1959.
Price: US$186.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: the first American edition of this classic novel of the Beat generation, which was not published in the U.S. until three years after its Paris publication, and until a legal challenge to its banning was successful. Such authors as Norman Mailer testified as to the literary value and accomplishment of Burroughs' work. Basis for the 1991 David Cronenberg film featuring Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm, Julian Sands, and Roy Scheider.A good copy, with some water damage in a very good unlipped dust jacket with a couple small chips along the top edge. A very nice copy in the original, pre-zip code, dust jacket. The first printing of the U.S. edition was only 3500 copies -- smaller even than the original Olympia Press paperback in Paris, which had a 5000-copy first printing. Additional photos available on request
Seller: PJ Books, Hemel Hempstead, HERTS, United Kingdom
Burroughs William. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press 1959 (July), Paris, 1959.
Price: US$187.41 + shipping
Description: Volume: 1 17.5x10.4 cm., 225, [2] pp., bella legatura d'amatore in cartonato decorato, titoli in oro su tassello in pelle al dorso, conservate le bross. edit., ottime condizioni The Traveller's Companion Series n. 76. Il prezzo in vecchi franchi francesi (price: Francs 1500) stampato sulla quarta di copertina anche se quasi del tutto cancellato, così come la scritta 'Not to be sold in U.S.A. or U.K.'. Prima edizione del più celebre romanzo di Burroughs, bandito negli Stati Uniti fino al 1962. Insieme a On the Road di Kerouac e Howl di Ginsberg, una delle opere simbolo del movimento Beat.
Seller: BACCHETTA GIORGIO - ALFEA RARE BOOKS, Milano, Italy
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$200.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: First printing, later issue with new price of 18 N.F. stamped (not printed) over the old and code of "76 15". Softcover, bound in wraps. The edges rubbed and spine faded; a few small marginal blemishes the last few leaves.
Seller: Moroccobound Fine Books, IOBA, Lewis Center, OH, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William S.. The Naked Lunch.. Olympia Press, Paris,, 1959.
Price: US$242.53 + shipping
Description: (=The Traveller's Companion No 76), 225 S., 1 Bl., OKart. Zweite Ausgabe, kurz nach Erstausgabe im July 59 gedruckt (NF 18 auf der Rückseite).
Seller: Antiquariat Knut Ahnert Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Burroughs, William. The naked lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$242.53 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Traveller's companion serie - 18 francs imprinted on the back - 225 pag
Seller: Von Meyenfeldt, Slaats & Sons, Breda, Netherlands
BURROUGHS, William [S.]. THE NAKED LUNCH. Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$250.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Second printing ('18 Francs' to rear as described in Maynard & Miles) of the original edition of Burroughs' Beat masterpiece. A landmark novel that led to several important court decisions on indecency and censorship. Certainly Burroughs' best-known work (it was successfully adapted by David Cronenberg into a fine film of the same name), it is also arguably Burroughs' best and most enduring as well. The Traveler's Companion Series No. 76. [Kearney 5.76.3]. [Maynard & Miles A2.a]. Wraps. 12mo. Original green printed wraps. Very good with sunning to spine, some soil and bumping. Else clean, sharp, and sound overall.
Seller: Brian Cassidy Books at Type Punch Matrix, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William S.. NAKED LUNCH. Grove Press 1959 [1962], New York, 1959.
Price: US$250.00 + shipping
Description: Octavo, 255 pages; VG-/G-; spine yellow and black with red lettering; dust jacket protected with a mylar covering, price uncut '$6.00'; dust jacket with front flap detached, chipping to all extremities, some shelfwear, light foxing to interior of spine; top edge of text block black; ink name to ffep; shelved case 6. Published in 1959 by Olympia Press in paperwraps. Copyright page dated 1959, but this edition actually published in 1962 [Maynard and Miles, A2b]. First-Edition points include $6.00 cover price (front jacket flap remains unclipped); no zip code on publisher's address to jacket rear; no numbers at base of jacket spine. Stated first printing to copyright page; 1364503. Shelved Dupont Bookstore. First American and First Hardback Edition.
Seller: Second Story Books, ABAA, Rockville, MD, U.S.A.
Burroughs (William S.). The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$295.04 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition, first issue with original price of "Francs 1.500" on the back wrapper. 8vo. Original publisher's stiff green wrappers. The first edition of Beat Generation Burroughs' most famous work, banned in the UK and USA at the time.
Seller: Lycanthia Rare Books, Newark, NOTTS, United Kingdom
Price: US$300.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Publisher: The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.VERY GOOD- in green paper wraps, as issued. First issue of book in The Traveller's Companion series. "Francs 1500" and "Not to be sold in U.S.A. or U.K." at bottom of rear cover. "76 1" printed on bottom right corner of the flyleaf. Small chip on front cover. Closed tears at the top and bottom left edges of the front cover. First Softcover Edition, First Printing.
Seller: Glands of Destiny First Edition Books, Sedro Woolley, WA, U.S.A.
BURROUGHS, William. Naked Lunch. Grove Press, New York, 1959.
Price: US$300.00 + shipping
Description: First U.S. edition and first printing. Hardcover. Preceded by the Olympia Press edition. The American edition was delayed until 1962 due to the controversial nature of this brilliant novel. Printed in an edition of 3500 copies. A very good plus copy in paper covered boards with a cloth spine with a couple of small spots to the topstain and some slight soiling to the page edges and in a very good price clipped dust jacket with some light rubbing, edge wear and some foxing that is mostly to the verso. Despite the flaws a solid copy of this classic.
Seller: Jeff Hirsch Books, ABAA, Wadsworth, IL, U.S.A.
Price: US$320.69 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: First issue of book in The Traveller's Companion series, G+ with "Francs 1500" and "Not to be sold in U.S.A. or U.K." at bottom of rear green wrap. Green border on title page. flyleaf blank save for "76 1" printed bottom right hand corner, no marks to the text. Some ageing to cover and edges. Decorative border to title page. Scans available.
Seller: Caffrey Books, Oundle, United Kingdom
Burroughs, William. Naked Lunch. Grove Press, NYC, 1959.
Price: US$395.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First American Edition, first issue dust jacket. Burroughs produced this novel, the first of a trilogy, in a hotel room in Paris (the so-called Beat Hotel, 9 rue Git-le-Coeur) while kicking his heroin habit, often under the influence of marijuana. Kerouac gave the book its title. First published in Paris by the Olympia Press in 1959 the American edition was printed in a run of only 3500 copies. Maynard & Miles A2b. Half black cloth binding with black paper-wrapped boards; black top-stain. Yellow & black dust jacket. 255 ppg. First printing of the first U.S. edition; first issue, with no roman numeral on lower spine near back panel; in first state dustjacket, with the $6.00 original price on the inside flap, and no zip code on the back panel. Photos on request.
Seller: Reader's Corner, Inc., Raleigh, NC, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. The Traveller's Companion/Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$400.01 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First printing of Burroughs' bizarre masterpiece. Internally clean, square, binding tight. Minor wear to spine ends, with tiny area of loss to the bottom on the back cover adjacent to the spine. Banned in the US but published in France with "The" added to the title. A very nice copy.
Seller: Sellers & Newel Second-Hand Books , Toronto, ON, Canada
Burroughs, William S.. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First Edition. Second state with the original price of 1,500 France stamped over with the new price of NF 18. In Very Good condition, lacking the dust jacket. Clean text. Binding seems repaired with glue, with glue stains at gutter of front and rear end papers. Wraps show light soiling, a few small chips and light wear. Toning to spine, stain to rear. A lovely copy overall.
Seller: Burnside Rare Books, ABAA, Portland, OR, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. Paris: The Olympia Press,, 1959.
Price: US$508.35 + shipping
Condition: As New
Description: First Edition, Fist Printing with the "Francs : 1.500" un-cancelled price printed on the back. A near fine copy, with faint tanning to the spine, but otherwise tight and clean. No dustwrapper. However, the very first copies (to which this belongs) were issued without one: "Miles states that the very first issues were released without the dust jackets; they were added after a month or so." (Maynard & Miles, p. 10). This item part of our catalogue 5: 100 Key Books, which you can view at ygrbooks.
Seller: Yves G. Rittener - YGRbookS, Zürich, Switzerland
Burroughs, William. Naked Lunch. Grove Press, New York, 1959.
Price: US$600.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: New York: Grove Press, 1959 (1962). First American printing. preceded by the Olympia Press (Paris) publication of 1959. The full Grove publication did not occur until 1962. This is a fine copy in a first issue, near fine jacket, priced at $6.00 and without the zip code on the panel as well as a statement from WSB and 4 blurbs from Norman Mailer, Robert Lowell, E. S. Seldon, and Jack Kerouac. Ref: Maynard & Miles A2b.
Seller: Paul Johnson Fine Books, IOBA, Temecula, CA, U.S.A.
Beats - Burroughs, William. Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$600.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Pocket paperbound book. 226 pp. The first printing, first issue of the beat classic novel by Burroughs. First issue points apply with original Francs 1,500 on the rear cover. This copy in good to very good condition with general light handling wear. Binding is square and covers are clean. Lacks the original illustrated dustwrapper. A solid example overall of what has become, along with On The Road and Howl, part of the classic beat triangle of books most sought after by collectors.
Seller: Derringer Books, Member ABAA, Avon, CT, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$700.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Near Fine in VG+ DJ. Second issue with the "New Price NF 18" on the back panel.
Seller: Courtside Books, Medford, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$750.00 + shipping
Description: BEST COPY I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD OF, TERRY SOUTHERN'S COPY, it doesn't say his name but this is from his estate, belonging still to the family, Terry wrote a screenplay for Junkie with WSB permision that was never produced but exists, a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a perfect first of one of the most important books of the XXth century, francs: 18, this is the Second Printing of the First Edition in nearly perfect condition from the Estate of Terry Southern
Seller: beat book shop, Boulder, CO, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch (in first issue dust jacket). Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$850.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: "The Naked Lunch" by William Burroughs. Olympia Press, Paris. 1959 first edition, with 1500 francs on DJ and NF 18 stamped on back cover. Book in very good condition, name to ffep, minor wear to edges, in original dustwrapper in original cover, with some paper loss to rear. Naked Lunch (sometimes The Naked Lunch) is a 1959 novel by American writer William S. Burroughs. The book is structured as a series of loosely connected vignettes, intended by Burroughs to be read in any order.[1] The reader follows the narration of junkie William Lee, who takes on various aliases, from the U.S. to Mexico, eventually to Tangier and the dreamlike Interzone. The vignettes (which Burroughs called "routines") are drawn from Burroughs' own experiences in these places and his addiction to drugs: heroin, morphine and, while in Tangier, majoun (a strong hashish confection), as well as a German opioid with the brand name Eukodol (oxycodone), of which he wrote frequently.[2] The novel was included in Time 's "100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005".[3] In 1991, David Cronenberg wrote and directed a film of the same name based on the novel and other Burroughs writings
Seller: Neverland Books, waalre, Netherlands
Burroughs, William S.. The Naked Lunch. Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$900.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First Issue. Very Good in a Very Good jacket, unclipped (Francs 1500), toned and rubbed at the surface and edges, chipped at the top-left corner of the front panel and the head of the spine. Green wraps, rubbed at the edges with a bump at the bottom-left corners, priced at Francs: 1500 on the back. Bound with a bit of reading wear, a few spots of toning at the edges, clean internally. The classic cut-up experimental novel from one of America's most profound writers of the 20th century. Adapted into the 1991 movie by David Cronenberg.
Seller: Carpetbagger Books, Woodstock, IL, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$950.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: First Edition 12mo with 226 pages. A paperback original of this infamous novel. First Edition 12mo with 226 pages. Points including green border on title page and "18" Label covering we believe the Francs : 1,500 on back cover of the book. You can see an NO and under that a TH Under the 18 label which is: NOT TO BE SOLD IN THE U.S.A. OR U.K. The book is in good condition with some foxing to top edge and slight foxing on long edge. The dust jacket has tear to top of spine that measures 3/4" by 1/2." A collectible copy. #020372 Size: 12mo
Seller: JERO BOOKS AND TEMPLET CO., SANTA MONICA, CA, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. Olympia, 1959.
Price: US$962.07 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Largely written in Tangiers, where Burroughs lived for several years before moving to Paris, The Naked Lunch has strong themes of drug addiction and homosexuality. Loose pages of manuscript had to be rescued by his friends, typed up and placed in some semblance of order before Maurice Girodias, the legendary Parisian owner of the Olympia Press, could be persuaded to publish it as a fitting addition to his successful line of books; books that were viewed by most simply as pornography. While much early pornography seems tame by todays standards The Naked Lunch still has the power to shock. I am offering a copy of the true first printing (with the price shown as Francs 1,500) but with a faded spine and some staining to edges and prelims.
Seller: CASSIUS&Co., London, United Kingdom
Beats - Burroughs, William. Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$1000.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Pocket paperbound book in Burroughs' illustrated dustwrapper. 226 pp. The first printing, second issue of the beat classic novel by Burroughs. Second issue points apply with new price NF 18 francs on rear cover. This copy in very good condition with a small area of light staining to the bottom of the front endpaper spilling over slightly on to the inside front cover. Binding is square and covers are clean. The thick illustrated dustwrapper (designed by Burroughs himself) is also in very good condition with light soiling and wear. A solid example overall of what has become, along with On The Road and Howl, part of the classic beat triangle of books most sought after by collectors.
Seller: Derringer Books, Member ABAA, Avon, CT, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch - 1st EDITION, 1st PRINTING. The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$1090.35 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: A Near Fine copy in the original dust jacket.First edition, first issue with 1500 francs on DJ. Tiny loss to DJ upper part. Lovely crisp, clean copy of this rare book.
Seller: PJ Books, Hemel Hempstead, HERTS, United Kingdom
William Burroughs. The naked lunch. Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$1100.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: A Near Fine copy in the original dust jacket.First edition with 1500 francs on DJ and NF 18 stamped on back cover. Tiny loss to DJ upper part,otherwise crisp and clean.
Seller: Anders Wahlstedt Fine Art, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$1250.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: A Very Good copy in like dust jacket. Rear free end paper of the book excised and some splitting at the lower inside joint. Dust jacket with some overall age toning and a small chip at the base of the spine. First printing with the green border on the title page and the original publisher's price of 1500 Francs on both the rear cover of the book and the rear flap. No price defacement, stickers or stamps as is usually found on later states of the book and jacket. William S. Burroughs' infamous novel meanders through the absurd and perverse in an improbable, non-linear narrative. While the adventure jumps from fictional dictatorships, to Mexico, to space, much of the book remains inspired by Burroughs' own drug addiction and his friendships with Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, core Beat Generation members. Upon its publication in 1959, "The Naked Lunch" was banned from numerous cities though its literary significance was later recognized by Time magazine and the book was included in their Top 100 English speaking novels from 1923 to 2005. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket.
Seller: Whitmore Rare Books, Inc. -- ABAA, ILAB, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
BURROUGHS, WILLIAM S.. The Naked Lunch. Paris: The Olympia Press, 1959, 1959.
Price: US$1250.00 + shipping
Description: First Edition; publisher's wrappers. A few small stains; very good in a like dust jacket. All books described as first editions are first printings unless otherwise noted.
Seller: Peter L. Stern & Co., Inc, Newton, MA, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William. The Naked Lunch.. Paris, The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$1355.59 + shipping
Description: Brosch. m. OU. Kl.8°, 225 S. OU min. gebrauchsspurig, am Fuss min. randrissig, allg. tadellos. EA («Copyright by William Burroughs», «Printed [. . .] in July 1959»; mit Preisangabe «Francs: 1.500» auf Hinterdeckel). (= The Traveller's Companion Series, Nr. 76).
Seller: Antiquariat Uhlmann, Zürich, Switzerland
Burroughs, William. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$1440.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition, 8vo, 226 pp., green wraps with dust jacket. Green border on title page, "Francs 1500" stated on dust jacket. Number 76 in The Olympia Press's Traveller's Companion Series, one of 5,000 copies. Lower front of green wraps slightly unattached from spine. Small chip to heel of green wrap. Dust jacket has minor chipping to head and heel, not affecting author or publisher lettering and a one inch closed tear from the mid foredge inward. Book and dust jacket are very good plus. Overall a desirable copy of this seminal beat novel.
Seller: James & Mary Laurie, Booksellers A.B.A.A, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William.. THE NAKED LUNCH.. OLYMPIA PRESS., PARIS, 1959.
Price: US$1450.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Near fine in green printed wrappers in a Nf. example of the dust jacket. (New Franc stamp on rear cover. Slim chip at base of front cover of dj. Trace of foxing at top & fore edges) The author's masterpiece.
Seller: WAVERLEY BOOKS ABAA, Santa Monica, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Big Table, Chicago, 1959. Condition: Good. First Edition. Small 8vo. Printed wraps. [152]pp.: Excellent previous ownership copy belonging to Frank O'Hara, signed by O'Hara to the first page in black ink and dated "New York, 1959". Additionally signed by O'Hara in pencil to the cover. The inaugural issue of Big Table offers "the complete contents of the suppressed winter 1959 Chicago Review. After the administration at University of Chicago Press would not allow contributions by William S. Burroughs or Jack Kerouac in the Chicago Review, editor Irving Rosenthal resigned and launched Big Table. Features the first ten episodes from Burroughs landscape altering Naked Lunch, thus, its first printing in any form. 400 copies of the magazine, mailed to subscribers, were seized and impounded by the Chicago Post Office, deemed obscene and filthy it has no redeeming value. Editor Rosenthal sued the Post Office in the District Court of Chicago, where Judge Julius Hoffman ruled it not obscene. Printed in an unusually large run of 10,000 copies, Big Table served as a proving ground for Burroughs and others. Maurice Girodias of the Olympia Press took notice and gambled that if Burroughs, Kerouac, et al could be printed in an edition of that size, it was worth attempting a publication of 5,000 copies of Naked Lunch, which he would do promptly the same year. A more intriguing copy can hardly be imagined, as poet O'Hara had a taut, at best, relationship with Kerouac. A notorious 1959 poetry reading at the Living Theatre in New York saw Kerouac drunkenly heckle O'Hara with the line "you are ruining American poetry, O Hara", while O'Hara clapped back "that's more than you ever did for it". Big Table issue number one stands as a landmark publication and snapshot of a literary world turning on its axis as the 50's faded into the 60's. In Good condition with some water staining to the front cover, which affects the top and bottom page block, but does affect the interior pages. Typical age toning throughout and extremely light edge wear, with definite creasing to the spine. Binding has become loose, leaving glue residue on the first page, but is still very much intact. All said, a sound copy of an important publication with a better previous ownership hardly imaginable.
Seller: Mast Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William S.. The Naked Lunch. Paris: The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition, first issue, with original price listed as "Francs 1.500" to rear wrapper (later issues have "18NF" price sticker). Original publisher's stiff green wrappers; original pictorial dust jacket designed by Burroughs. About near fine with some slight sunning, small bookseller stamp to front endpaper; dust jacket lightly nicked with minor wear, some shallow loss to the upper spine, otherwise clean and bright. A very good copy. The Naked Lunch was first published in Paris as part of The Olympia Press's The Traveller's Companion series, which included other literary classics like Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita (1955) and Henry Miller's Quiet Days in Clichy (1956), among others. The Olympia Press was well known for its liberal selection of literature; many English-speaking authors published their books with Olympia in Paris after being rejected by other publishing houses. Even so, Olympia's publisher Maurice Girdoias did not initially want to publish the racy The Naked Lunch, but changed his mind after selections from the novel appeared in literary magazines, including The Chicago Review. The chapters in The Naked Lunch are a series of vignettes, intended to be read independently of one another, that follow drug addict William Lee as he travels to a variety of locations; each story is loosely based on Burroughs' own experiences with drugs in these locations. As John Ciardi commented in his June 27, 1959 review for The Saturday Review, "what Burroughs is writing about is not only the destruction of depraved men by their drug lust, but the destruction of all men by their consuming addictions, whether the addiction be drugs or overrighteous propriety, lasciviousness or sixteen-year-old girls."
Seller: B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: "The Naked Lunch" by William Burroughs. The Olympia Press, Paris. 1959 first edition first issue. Book with original dust jacket in very good condition, with First few lvs. w. sm. dent in upper outer corner; first free endpaper soiled in outer margin. Dustwrapper sl. dam. at top of spine. One of the best novels of the 20th century and one of the key books of the beat generation.
Seller: Neverland Books, waalre, Netherlands
BURROUGHS, William.. The Naked Lunch.. Paris The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$1512.50 + shipping
Description: First edition, first impression; 8vo; one or two small marks to text block, else unmarked internally; publisher's green wrappers printed in black, slight creasing to spine, with the Gysin-designed dust jacket, slightly tanned and marked, some rubbing to head and foot of spine, light edge-wear, else very good. First edition of Burroughs masterpiece, one of the triumphs of the Beat movement.
Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom
BURROUGHS, William.. The Naked Lunch.. Paris: The Olympia Press, 1959, 1959.
Price: US$1603.45 + shipping
Description: First edition, first printing, first issue with the original price of 1,500 francs on the rear cover. Octavo. Original green wrappers, title to spine and covers. With dust jacket. Sunning to spine, extremities slightly nicked, foxing to edges of text block, toning to edges, a very good copy in a slightly toned and foxed dust jacket, with a chip at foot of front panel.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Burroughs, William. The Naked Lunch. Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$1650.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 12mo (17.5 cm), pp. [1-6], 7-225, [226-232], Green wraps in purple and white jacket. Housed in a near fine, custom, clamshell case. First printing with green decorative border on title page and price of 1500 Francs on back cover. From the personal library of William "Gatz" Hjortsberg, author of Jubilee Hitchhiker: The Life and Times of Richard Brautian and Falling Angel (filmed as Angel Heart). Previous owner's name (not Hjortsberg's) on front free endpaper, light rubbing and edge wear to wraps, damp-staining to bottoms of endpapers. Jacket with moderate chipping and small closed tears. One of 5000 copies printed. [Maynard & Miles A2a]
Seller: Elk River Books (ABAA/ILAB), Livingston, MT, U.S.A.
William Burroughs. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$1800.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 1st edition copy of Naked Lunch. Green decorated paperback cover with a purple and white dust jacket, all wrapped in a protective plastic slip. Pages are in pristine condition, clear and bright throughout. Small pencil inscription on first free-end page.
Seller: Pleasant Street Books, woodstock, VT, U.S.A.
BURROUGHS, William S.. Naked Lunch (First Edition). Paris: The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$2250.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: First Edition. Octavo. One of the high spots of Beat literature; "a revolting miasma of unrelieved perversion and disease," as per one of the dissenting justices in the Massachusetts Supreme Court obscenity ruling. This copy with the first state jacket, designed by Burroughs, with the input of Brion Gysin, with original price to rear flap (1500 Francs). The book itself with the green decorative border to title page, and "Francs 1,500" to rear cover. Bright green Traveller's Companion wrappers (no. 76), with minor rubbing and slight bump to head of spine, thus close to near fine. Mild toning to illustrated jacket, with bump to head of spine and faint stain; thus close to near fine. Overall, a pleasing copy of this landmark work.
Seller: Harper's Books, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William [S.]. THE NAKED LUNCH. Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Description: First edition, first issue of Burroughs' drug-fueled Beat masterpiece - in exceptional condition. A landmark novel that led to several important court decisions on indecency and censorship. Certainly Burroughs' best-known work (it was successfully adapted by David Cronenberg into a fine film of the same name), it is also arguably Burroughs' best, most enduring, and precient as well. Indeed, for better or worse, Burroughs's "Interzone" increasingly resembles our current world. Published by Maurice Girodias's infamous Olympia Press, a beautiful example of a highspot of 20th century American literature. 7'' x 4.25''. Original green printed wraps. In original unclipped (1500 francs) color pictorial dustjacket designed by the author. The Traveler's Companion Series No. 76. 232 pages. Jacket spine mildly toned, with a couple of tiny chips to head. Book has old penned price to front endpaper and trace shelfwear to extremities. Else both jacket and book remarkably bright, clean, and sharp overall. Housed in a quarter black leather over black cloth custom clamshell. Near fine in a near fine jacket.
Seller: Brian Cassidy Books at Type Punch Matrix, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.
BURROUGHS, William S.. Naked Lunch. Grove Press 1959[1962], (NY), 1959.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: The first American edition of this classic novel of the Beat generation, which was not published in the U.S. until three years after its Paris publication, and until a legal challenge to its banning was successful. Such authors as Norman Mailer testified as to the literary value and accomplishment of Burroughs' work. Basis for the 1991 David Cronenberg film featuring Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm, Julian Sands, and Roy Scheider. Inscribed by the author in 1984 for Bob Jackson. Fine in a near fine dust jacket but for creasing and a couple small chips along the top edge. A very nice copy in the original, pre-zip code, dust jacket. The first printing of the U.S. edition was only 3500 copies -- smaller even than the original Olympia Press paperback in Paris, which had a 5000-copy first printing. Unless otherwise noted, our first editions are first printings.
Seller: Ken Lopez Bookseller, ABAA (Lopezbooks), Hadley, MA, U.S.A.
BURROUGHS, WILLIAM. Naked Lunch. Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$2693.80 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: First edition, all issue points correct including 1,500 francs. a slight teastrain on last blank endpaper. Glossy dustwrapper. Back cover of dj one inch slight scuffmark otherwise shiny/glossy. Quarter inch tiny circular stain near top edge of pages 35-39. Seen from above, a few very light marks, simply from having existed since 1959 on a bookshelf no doubt. Better by far than very good though. Purple and yellow cover bright. Internally very clean and bright. One unobtrusive punch hole through lower back panel of dust jacket and green back cover as it was once remaindered!
Seller: Indexbooks/Peter Gidal, london, United Kingdom
BURROUGHS, William.. The Naked Lunch.. Paris: The Olympia Press, 1959, 1959.
Price: US$2886.21 + shipping
Description: First edition, first printing, first issue with the original covers bound in showing the original price of 1500 francs on the rear cover. Maynard & Miles A2a. Octavo. Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in green morocco, spine lettered in gilt, raised bands, blue and green decorative endpapers with the original covers bound in at back, twin rule to turn-ins gilt, gilt edges. A fine copy.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Burroughs, William S.. The Naked Lunch. Paris: The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$3000.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition, first issue, with original price listed as "Francs 1.500" to rear wrapper (later issues have "18NF" price sticker). Original publisher's stiff green wrappers; original black, white, purple, and yellow pictorial dust jacket designed by Burroughs. Near fine book with light soiling and spotting to text block edges, a hint of fading to top of rear wrapper, and a touch of wear to foot of spine; unclipped dust jacket with just a hint of spotting to verso, else fine. Overall, an excellent copy in a bright and crisp dust jacket, much nicer than usual. Housed in a red custom folding box. Maynard & Miles A2. The Naked Lunch was first published in Paris as part of The Olympia Press's The Traveller's Companion series, which included other literary classics like Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita (1955) and Henry Miller's Quiet Days in Clichy (1956), among others. The Olympia Press was well known for its liberal selection of literature; many English-speaking authors published their books with Olympia in Paris after being rejected by other publishing houses. Even so, Olympia's publisher Maurice Girodias did not initially want to publish the racy The Naked Lunch, but changed his mind after selections from the novel appeared in literary magazines, including The Chicago Review. The chapters in The Naked Lunch are a series of vignettes, intended to be read independently of one another, that follow drug addict William Lee as he travels to a variety of locations; each story is loosely based on Burroughs' own experiences with drugs in these locations. As John Ciardi commented in his June 27, 1959 review for The Saturday Review, "what Burroughs is writing about is not only the destruction of depraved men by their drug lust, but the destruction of all men by their consuming addictions, whether the addiction be drugs or overrighteous propriety, lasciviousness or sixteen-year-old girls."
Seller: B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.
BURROUGHS, William.. The Naked Lunch.. Paris The Olympia Press, 1959.
Price: US$3327.50 + shipping
Description: First edition, first impression; 8vo; publisher's green wrappers printed in black; with the Gysin-designed dust jacket, a lovely copy in the very lightly rubbed and minutely tanned dust jacket with minor production crease to the rear panel. An exceptional copy of Burroughs masterpiece, one of the triumphs of the Beat movement. Not common in this condition.
Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom
William Burroughs. Naked Lunch. Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$3500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition/First Printing. Softcover original. Near book in a fine Dust.Jacket. Price stamp change on back flap from 15 to 18 francs, so in effect the second state. True first of this novel. Housed in a clamshell case.
Seller: MDS BOOKS, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Burroughs, William S. The Naked Lunch. The Olympia Press, Paris, 1959.
Price: US$5000.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing with the original price of "Francs 1500 present on the back panel. This copy is SIGNED by William S. Burroughs on a laid in signature. A beautiful copy that is bound in the ORIGINAL publisher's wrappers. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning with light wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a lovely copy SIGNED by the author in collector's condition.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
Burroughs, William. NAKED LUNCH. Olympia Press, Paris 1959, 1959.
Price: US$25000.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: Signed by Author. First Edition, original wraps, F. DJ. slightly chipped at spine, inscribed "For Gait Froige (Sic). 'The English Book Shop - Minutes to Go' - William Burroughs'. Froge was the owner of the said book store in Paris, and lent Burroughs 500 to publish 'Minutes to Go', thus the inscription. A wonderful association recalling the Paris ex-pat literary scene of the 50's
Seller: NUDEL BOOKS, New York, NY, U.S.A.