[1ST EN ED] Composition No. 1: A Novel

Marc Saporta, Richard Howard (translator)

Published by Simon and Schuster, New York, 1963

About this Item

Innovative novel-in-a-box with 152 unbound, unnumbered pages intended to be read in non-linear order ("the reader is requested to shuffle them like a deck of cards") laid into a tricolor-printed paper-covered box designed by Janet Halverson, who at the time also designed the cover of Jack Kerouc's 1962 novel Big Sur. Influenced by abstract expressionist painting, William Burrough's "Naked Lunch", and musical work by John Cage, "Composition No. 1" anticipated subsequent experiments in open form writing. As reviewer David Dietrich put it in 2011 "In so many ways, Composition No. 1 was published ahead of its time: the book raises all the questions we ask ourselves today about user-centric, non-linear screen driven ways of reading." First English language edition, first printing, translated from the original French by edition of 1962 by Richard Howard and published by Simon and Schuster in 1963. 8vo; with original orange band around the loose text block. Mild foxing to fore edge, otherwise clean and bright leaves with only light creasing to title page. Intact box; some de-lamination occurring, particularly along spine. Soiling and chipping to box with faint damp staining. Slightly raised top edge. All pages accounted for. Seller Inventory # ABE-1610315649566

Bibliographic Details

Title: [1ST EN ED] Composition No. 1: A Novel

Publisher: Simon and Schuster, New York

Publication Date: 1963

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Edition: 1st Edition