Uncommonly well-kept first printing of Burroughs's first book, a paperback original Ace Double printed tête-beche with Maurice Helbrant's NARCOTIC AGENT.
Near fine.
Price: $1,800.00
"You become a narcotics addict because you do not have strong motivations in the other direction. Junk wins by default. I tried it as a matter of curiosity. I drifted along taking shots when I could score. I ended up hooked."
JUNKIE was Burroughs's first novel, written under pseudonym (using his mother's maiden name), but heavily based on his own experience. Though he'd written (but not published) several books before this, it took the intervention of Allen Ginsberg as editor and quasi-agent to see JUNKIE into print, where it became a cornerstone of both Beat and drug literature. Just about the nicest copy of this fragile production we've seen.
Read more: Joe Maynard and Barry Miles, William S. Burroughs: A Bibliography 1953-1973, A1; Brian Schottlaender, ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE: A Selectively Annotated Bibliography of William S. Burroughs, A1.A.
First edition. New York: Ace, (1953). 6.5'' x 4.25''. Original pictorial wrappers. Ace D-15, priced at 35c. 150 and 170 pages. Bright and sharp overall with just a small bump to the edge of the spine, and a faint corner crease and tiny indentation to front cover of JUNKIE and a smaller faint crease to lower cover of AGENT. Housed in a custom black quarter-leather slipcase. Overall, handsome.
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