Search Results

[ca 1950s].

One of three known groupings of photographs from "the legendary Hardiment suitcase," including original prints of both one of the most iconic images of Jack Kerouac (of Kerouac smoking a cigarette outside his 7th Street apartment, taken by Allen Ginsberg) and of Allen Ginsberg (on the roof of his Lower East Side apartment, taken by William Burroughs). 32 photographs in total, from the 1950s, of Burroughs and other figures of the Beat generation, some with Burroughs' annotations.

Several of the photographs are taped together, forming early visual collages or collage fragments, while a number of the photos have sellotape along their edges, suggesting they were at one time part of a larger collage. These collages represent some of Burroughs' earliest attempts to use images in the way he was using words -- to transcend time and space, and link together various aspects of his life and world, in ways that correlate to a "mindscape" -- akin to the connections between the stories he wrote during that period that were collectively known as the Interzone, which was also an early title for Naked Lunch. Brion Gysin, in his 1964 essay, 'Cut ups: A Project for Disastrous Success,' wrote that "Burroughs was more intent on Scotch-taping his photos together into one great continuum on the wall, where scenes faded and slipped into one another, than occupied with editing the monster manuscript" -- i.e., Naked Lunch, aka his Word Hoard.

The provenance of this group of materials is the "Hardiment suitcase," belonging to the poet Melville Hardiment, a friend of Burroughs during the years 1960-62, who is also known as the first person to have given Burroughs LSD. Hardiment bought a number of items from Burroughs in that time period and famously kept them in a suitcase: he sold the contents in parts, when he needed money. One group of materials went to the bookseller Pat Zanelli and eventually to the University of Kansas, where it is known as the Burroughs-Hardiment Collection.

A second group of photographs and collages went into the collection of photographer Richard Lorenz and were exhibited in the 1996 show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art -- "Ports of Entry: William S. Burroughs and the Arts."

The third group, offered here, went from Hardiment to novelist and bookseller Iain Sinclair, in 1985, likely, again, via Pat Zanelli. Like the photos in Kansas as well as those in the Lorenz collection, many of these have sellotape on the edges, and like the collages in the Lorenz collection, some are still taped together, forming collages themselves or representing collage fragments. Tape shadows on the versos of some of the images both here and at the University of Kansas hint that Burroughs may have created the collages and then, when he began experimenting with the cut-up technique in writing, have cut-up the collages with the intent of applying this same technique to visual imagery. Barry Miles and Jim Pennington -- whose research uncovered most of the information we have about the Hardiment suitcase -- each looked at this collection of photos and attested to its authenticity and importance for gaining perspective on Burroughs' creative artwork in the early years of his career.

In addition to the Kerouac and Ginsberg photos, highlights of this grouping include: a photo booth portrait; a passport photo; and a negative of an unpublished Brion Gysin photograph of Burroughs from 1959 (with contemporary archival print). 32 photographs in all, plus calling cards of Bruno Heinrich and Charles Henri Ford, and a copy of Driffs magazine -- "The Antiquarian and Second Hand Book Fortnightly" -- which includes Part 1 of Iain Sinclair's "Definitive Catalogue" of the Beats -- this part being devoted entirely to the works of William Burroughs, with this album as item number 80 in the catalogue. The condition, wherein the photos are cut up, fragmented, partially taped, all by design, and housed in a 1960s photo album, is fine, as it is. A complete inventory is available on request.

[#033847] $25,000

[NY], Saturday Evening Post, 1932.

A previously unknown Faulkner "A" item -- an offprint from the March 5, 1932 issue of the Saturday Evening Post.

In long-accepted Faulkner lore, the first and only separate edition of Turn About was the 1939 edition published by W. L. Massiah of Ottawa, Canada, which has been considered Faulkner's scarcest "A" item, with approximately seven known copies. Offered here is a 1932 offprint -- 7 years earlier than the Massiah edition -- with no other known copies.

Faulkner's story "Turn About" was first published in The Saturday Evening Post on March 5, 1932, with two bibliographically significant markers: the second paragraph includes a description of one character as having "a pink-and-white face and blue eyes, and a little dull gold mustache above a mouth like a girl's mouth," and the text is broken up into 10 parts, each identified with a Roman numeral, from I to X.

The earliest book publications of the story -- in O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1932 and in Faulkner's collection Doctor Martino and Other Stories, published in 1934 -- leave out both the "gold mustache" and the text breaks. The former change seems likely to have been authorial, rather than editorial, which means that Faulkner changed the text of the story, removing the "gold mustache" phrase, before the end of 1932, when the O. Henry collection was published. The 1939 Massiah edition includes the phrase, which is how it was concluded that it had been printed from the text of the Post story, rather than from one of the later book publications. The Massiah publication also retains the 10 text breaks, but rather than being identified by Roman numerals, the breaks are separated with a filigree design.

The 1932 offprint offered here includes the "gold mustache" phrase, as well as the 10 text breaks of the original Post publication, with Roman numerals delineating the sections -- the only place, other than in the original magazine itself, where Roman numerals are used in the text.

Carl Petersen, the renowned Faulkner collector, did not have a copy of Massiah's Turn About in his collection when he published his 1975 bibliography. By 1991, when Peter Howard of Serendipity Books published the 643-page catalog of Petersen's Faulkner collection, he did have a copy, which Serendipity valued at $17,500, calling it "by far the rarest of Faulkner's published books." Christie's auction house called the Massiah edition "exceedingly scarce" and noted that "no copies have appeared at auction in at least 50 years" in a 2010 auction listing.

As best we have been able to determine, this 1932 Saturday Evening Post offprint displaces the 1939 edition of Turn About as Faulkner's scarcest "A" item: it is previously unknown, contemporaneous with the initial story publication, and possibly, at this point, one of a kind.

28 stapled pages; one page corner turned; a handful of mostly marginal pencil markings ("x's"); near fine in stapled wrappers.

[#035975] $25,000

(NY), Smith & Haas, (1932). A Yoknapatawpha County novel that is considered his "most penetrating and dramatic analysis of contemporary Southern society." Fine in a fine dust jacket: a strikingly beautiful copy of one of the high spots of 20th century American literature: probably the brightest, freshest copy we've seen in 40+ years of selling modern first editions; the orange topstain is as bright as the orange of the fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom three-quarter leather clamshell case. [#034924] $15,000

New York, Boni & Liveright, 1927. Faulkner's second novel, which had a first printing of 3047 copies. Bookplate gently tipped to the front pastedown. Slight push to the crown and trace wear to corners, but a very near fine copy with the orange stamping on the front cover and spine still bright and fresh, in a lightly rubbed, near fine example of the first issue "mosquitoes" dust jacket. A very attractive copy of a book seldom found in this condition. [#034923] $8,500

1988. An original Burroughs painting, which became part of the Seven Deadly Sins exhibition at The Writer's Place, Kansas City, Missouri, in 1993. Acrylic and spray paint on poster board: a gold triangle and heart spray-painted against a background acrylic image of black, blue and gray. Signed by Burroughs. 20" x 32". Mounted and framed to 24" x 36". Fine. Burroughs, whose Naked Lunch, Soft Machine, and numerous other works helped define the Beat generation and redefine the psychedelic novel, also worked in the visual media from the early 1950s on, experimenting first with collages and later with what he called "nagual art" -- art infected by chance, which had the possibility of giving the viewer access to what Burroughs called a "port of entry," an access to a different universe or a different way of seeing our own. In writing, Burroughs adopted the "cut-up" technique, with Brion Gysin, to achieve similar ends: a final product that was, in part, a product of chance or, at the very least, forces beyond the artist's direct control and manipulation. [#024825] $7,500

1988. An original drawing by Wilson for Burroughs' 1989 book Tornado Alley. This image was included in the exhibition "Ports of Entry: William Burroughs and the Arts" that was mounted by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1996, and it is reproduced on page 140 of the exhibition catalog. Interestingly, the illustration in the book does not show some of the work that Wilson did, as it was done using nonrepro blue pencil which does not show up when photographed: Wilson's edits didn't appear in Tornado Alley and they don't appear in Ports of Entry, but they are quite visible in the work itself. Wilson, one of the great artists of the underground comix of the 1960s and beyond, whom R. Crumb has said was a major influence on Crumb's own work, collaborated with Burroughs on a number of projects. This is not only a significant work of art, and a significant association with Burroughs, but it is also signed by Wilson, who has added, "To Nelson" next to his signature: Wilson gave this work to his friend Nelson Lyon, who loaned it to the exhibition and is listed in the book as one of the lenders to the exhibit. This is, in effect, a three-way association: Nelson Lyon was the co-producer of Burroughs' Dead City Radio, a 1990 album of Burroughs reading his work (including pieces from Tornado Alley) against a background of experimental music by various artists. 9-3/4" x 6-3/4". Matted and framed. Fine. A notable association copy, and an artifact of one of the great collaborations that Burroughs engaged in. [#028091] $7,500

London, A. Smith, 1929. With photographs by the author. Bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe in full leather stamped in gilt and blind with raised bands and a front cover design incorporating the author's initials from a design on the title page. All edges gilt. The colophon states "Designed by W.B. Dalton and W.H. Amery with the assistance of the Artistic Typography Class of The Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts, London. Printed under the direction of H.G. Wicks by A. Smith & Co., 30 Sangley Road, London, S.E.6." One of 500 copies, although it appears that most were bound in quarter leather and only the first 30 (50?) were bound in full leather. Apparently each of the leatherbound copies had a different design, and some were bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe and others by Douglas Cockerel. A trifle scratched on the rear cover, but still fine in a near fine slipcase. A very attractive copy. [#027368] $3,500

London, Bruce and Watson, (1973). First hardcover edition of this title, published in an edition of 1500 copies. Variant brown cloth -- M&M describes black cloth, and olive green cloth has also been noted. Inscribed by the author to Bob Jackson in 1984. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. An uncommon edition, especially signed (and signed authentically). [#033085] $3,000

(NY), Grove Press, (1959)[1962]. 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. [#033095] $2,500

NY, Boni & Liveright, (1926). His second book, first novel. Modest wear to corners and spine gilt. A near fine copy, lacking the rare dust jacket. In custom gilt-stamped, full leather slipcase. [#034922] $2,500

(n.p.), Twentieth Century Fox, 1957. The "Final Script" of the screenplay adaptation of Faulkner's novel. The movie starred Yul Brynner and Joanne Woodward. 150 pages. Wear to the yapped covers, and fragile along the spine. Stamped as copy "32." A very good copy, now protected by a custom clamshell case. [#034948] $2,500

ca. 1983-84. Six black and white photographs (not stated but) by Abe Frajndlich, of William Burroughs, or parts thereof: two photos of Burroughs seated inside at a desk; two photos of Burroughs outside in a trench coat and hat; one photo of Burroughs' coat, hat and cane on the floor next to a baseboard heater; one photo of Burroughs' hands as he signs a copy of The Place of Dead Roads. Each photo is 8-1/2" x 11"; faint staining to a few margins, else fine. Frajndlich is known for his portraits of photographers, and of others involved in the arts. [#033147] $2,000

Paris, Olympia, (1961). The true first edition, published in Paris by Maurice Girodias' press five years before it came out in the U.S. This copy is inscribed by Burroughs: "For Bob Jackson/ all the best/ William Burroughs/ for Brion Gysin." Gysin designed the dust jacket. Modest foxing to pages edges and endpages; near fine in a near fine, mildly tanned dust jacket with rubbing to the folds. The first issue, with the 15 New Franc price on both the rear cover of the book and the front flap of the dust jacket. An influential book, part of the sequence that includes The Naked Lunch and The Ticket That Exploded. [#033109] $1,750

London, Jonathan Cape, (1970). The uncorrected proof copy of the first British edition (following a French edition) of this interview with Burroughs by Daniel Odier. Inscribed by Burroughs to Richard Aaron. An excellent association copy: Aaron was the bookseller who helped negotiate the sale of Burroughs' archive to Roberto Altmann in Liechtenstein, and he was also involved in the sale that brought the archive back to the U.S., when Robert Jackson bought it from Altmann. Aaron also published Burroughs, under his Am Here Books imprint. Near fine in a near fine, proof dust jacket, which is crumpled at the crown from where it extends above the proof. Proof copies of this edition are scarce, let alone ones with a significant association. [#033081] $1,500

Paris, Olympia, (1965). Third printing of the original edition of his second book, one of the all-time great drug novels and a high spot of Beat and postwar American literature. Inscribed by the author to Bob Jackson in 1984. The price stamp on the rear cover has been partially removed. Rubbing to the spine and joints; near fine in wrappers without dust jacket, as issued (the second and third printings did not have the jacket). [#033094] $1,500

NY, Random House, (1959). The limited edition of the third volume in his Snopes trilogy. Copy No. 91 of 500 copies signed by the author. This title was a National Book Award finalist in 1960. A fine copy in a near fine, original acetate dustwrapper with a few tiny chips and tears. A very nice copy. [#034941] $1,500

1996. A promotional poster for the annual Toronto literary festival, which each year since 1980 has brought together some of the best writers of contemporary world literature. This poster is one of only a handful of copies signed by all or most of the year's participants, approximately 70 signatures. Signed by: Nicholas Shakespeare, William Gibson, William Kotzwinkle, Kathy Acker, Sherman Alexie, W.P. Kinsella, Lynne Reid Banks, Louis Begley, Marie-Claire Blais, Isabel Colegate, William Gass, Matt Cohen, Maeve Binchy, Hershel Parker, Mavis Gallant, Janette Turner Hospital, Susan Sontag, Tobias Wolff, D.M. Thomas, Kazuo Ishiguro, Timothy Findley, Lawrence Block, Al Purdy, Paul Quarrington, Ruth Rendell, Joan Mellon, Nicholas Jose, Oksana Zabuzhko, Lorna Crozier, and many others. From the collection of the promoter of the festival, Greg Gatenby. Designed by Arnaldo Pomodoro. 17" x 24". Fine. [#029752] $1,000

1984. Photograph by Abe Frajndlich of Burroughs in a three-piece suit sitting behind a table in a public space, smoking. Frajndlich is known for his portraits of photographers, and of others involved in the arts. Copyrighted, signed and dated by Frajndlich in ink at the right of the image in the margin, and titled, copyrighted, signed and dated in pencil by Frajndlich on the verso. Black and white. 11" x 14" Marginal crease to an upper corner, else fine. [#033146] $1,000

1993. A promotional poster for the annual Toronto literary festival, which each year since 1980 has brought together many of the best writers of contemporary world literature. One of only a handful of copies signed by all or most of the year's participants, approximately 61 signatures. Signed by: Paulo Coelho, William Vollmann, Jane Urquhart, Bobbie Ann Mason, Bharati Mukherjee, Aidan Mathews, Peter Levi, Marilyn Davis, Carol Shields, Ruth Rendell, Mavis Gallant, Barry Callaghan, Rose Tremain, Peter Mayle, Walter Abish, Robert Stone, Priscilla Juvelis, Paul Auster, Barry Unsworth, Rosa Lixsom, Vikram Seth, Austin Clarke, Bapsi Sidhwa, Joan Riley, Yves Beauchemin, James Mackey, Daniel Mark Epstein, and many others. From the collection of the promoter of the festival, Greg Gatenby. Designed by General Idea, a collective of three Canadian artists, two of whom died of AIDS in 1994. 17" x 22". Fine. [#029749] $1,000

(London), Bridgewater Press, (2000). Of a total edition of 138 copies, this is copy VII of 12 Roman-numeraled copies bound in quarter Library Calf, with a signed original drawing by Boyd, tipped in as frontispiece. Signed by the author. Fine. [#914614] $750
On Sale: $525

(Paris), Les Editions des Minuit, 1948. The first French edition of his second novel, first published in 1927. Of a total edition of 200 copies, this is Copy No. 27 of 50 copies printed "sur velin superieur." Pages uncut; a fine copy, in a near fine, French-folded glassine dustwrapper. An extremely small limitation for a Faulkner novel; the 1/50 issue is very scarce in the market. [#034930] $750

London, Calder and Boyars, (1968). The first British edition. Inscribed by the author to Richard Aaron, the bookseller and publisher, and a key figure in Burroughs' biography, especially with respect to the placement of Burroughs' papers. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033117] $650

[Sacramento], (CoTangent Press), [1993]. A limited edition of a story from Thirteen Stories and Thirteen Epitaphs, preceded, in 1990 by a CoTangent edition of one handwritten folio copy, and issued here with revisions. This is Copy No. 23 of 200 copies signed by Vollmann and by the designer, Ben Pax. Illustrated by Vollmann. Fine in sewn wrappers and dust jacket. [#912137] $650

London, Jonathan Cape, (1966). The first British edition. Inscribed by the author, again for Richard Aaron. Slight softening to the spine ends; faint foxing to the edge of the text block; very near fine in a fine dust jacket. Uncommon signed, and a good association. [#033100] $500

NY, Random House, (1959). The first trade edition of the final book in Faulkner's Snopes trilogy. A fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with light edge wear and fading to the spine lettering. A Burgess 99 title. [#034942] $500

NY, Random House, (1948). By most accounts, this novel -- which deals with the legacy of black-white relations in the South -- was the book that cinched the Nobel Prize for him, which he won in 1949. Some fading to the top stain, else a fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with slight rubbing to the edges and folds. [#034929] $450

[Paris], Gallimard, (1962). The first French edition, limited issue. Copy No. 49 of 66 numbered copies on pure fil. Sunning to wrappers; near fine. [#034943] $450

[Paris], Gallimard, (1952). The first French edition. This is Copy No. 123 of 125 numbered copies on "velin pur fil" (there were also 6 hors commerce copies in this binding). Pages uncut. Slight tanning to the spine; near fine in wrappers and glassine dustwrapper. [#034936] $375

[Paris], Gallimard, (1952). The first French edition. This is Copy No. 70 of 131 copies on "velin pur fil." Petersen A26.41. Spine tanned, with mild slant; very good in wrappers and glassine dustwrapper. [#034937] $350

(Paris), Les Editions des Minuit, 1948. The first French edition of his second novel, first published in 1927. Of a total edition of 200 copies, this is Copy No. 58 of 150 copies printed "sur alfa-mousse des paperteries." Pages uncut; dampstaining to the upper outer corner of rear pages. Near fine in a very good, French-folded glassine dustwrapper. [#034931] $300