THE NAKED LUNCH (First UK edition - first impression - a beautiful near fine copy)
Language: English
Published by John Calder (in association with Olympia Press), 17 Sackville Street, London, W.1., 1964
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United KingdomOrlando Booksellers
AbeBooks seller since January 11, 2000
Condition: Used - Near fine
£ 250.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
First impression of the first UK edition. The book was originally published in English by Olympia Press in 1959, in paperback format, and subsequently in hardcover by Grove Press, New York in 1962. This copy is in unusually nice condition. The 'Beat' writer's most controversial work, being subject to a court case after it was challenged as being in violation of the American sodomy laws. Described by novelist Herbert Gold as "the definitive hip book." One of only 4000 copies published in the UK, and rapidly reprinted. ***Near fine in pale beige cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The gilt is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. The boards are clean and unmarked. The head and tail of the spine are just slightly creased. Corner tips sharp. Top edge of page block slightly darkened, but still nice and clean. Fore-edge and bottom edge of page block white and clean with no foxing. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally also near fine with no previous ownership inscriptions. Endpapers white and clean with no offsetting. Interior pages also white and clean. No foxing. No creases or tears. It actually feels like an unread copy! ***In a near fine colour illustrated dustwrapper, which is complete, and retains the original publisher's printed price of 42s. net on the front flap. The dustwrapper has some very light rubbing and creasing to the extremities, mainly the head and tail of the spine, and there is a small closed tear to the top edge of the front panel, near the spine, but no serious creases or tears. No loss. The spine is slightly darkened, but there is no fading to the sun-sensitive red titles. Dustwrapper bright. ***204mm x 135mm. 251 pages. ***'"Naked Lunch" (first published as "The Naked Lunch") is a 1959 antinovel by American author William S. Burroughs. The novel does not follow a clear linear plot, but is instead structured as a series of non-chronological "routines". Many of these routines follow William Lee, an opioid addict who travels to the surreal city of Interzone and begins working for the organization "Islam Inc." Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch while living in the Tangier International Zone, which inspired the book's Interzone setting. There, he witnessed escalating tensions between European powers and the Moroccan Nationalist Movement, which are reflected in Interzone's fictional political struggles. Burroughs also struggled with opioid addiction, which the novel describes extensively, although critics disagree whether the novel uses opioids as a metaphor for broader forms of control. The novel was highly controversial for its depictions of drug use, sadomasochism, and body horror. The book was considered obscene by the United States Postal Service, the state of Massachusetts, and the city of Los Angeles, each leading to separate legal challenges. The book has been considered dystopian science fiction, postmodern, parodic, and picaresque.' (Wiki) ***"I can feel the heat closing in, feel them out there making there moves, setting up their devil doll stool pigeons, crooning over my spoon and dropper I throw away at Washington Square Station, vault a turnstile and two flights down the iron stairs, catch an uptown A train --- Young, good looking, crew cut, Ivy League, advertising exec type fruit holds the door back for me. I am evidently his idea of a character.' (Quote taken from the first paragraph) ***First impression of the first UK edition, complete in its original 1964 dustwrapper, in unusually near fine condition - a real collector's copy, and one of the key texts of the Beat generation. Most copies of this book have damaged dustwrappers, as they are prone to tearing and chipping and eventual loss. This is the best copy we have handled in 30+ years. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only.…
Seller Inventory # 9725
Bibliographic details
- Title
- THE NAKED LUNCH (First UK edition - first impression - a beautiful near fine copy)
- Author
- William Burroughs
- Publisher
- John Calder (in association with Olympia Press), 17 Sackville Street, London, W.1.
- Publication year
- 1964
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Dust jacket
- Near Fine
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Illustrator
- Brion Gysin (Jacket design)
- Edition
- First UK Edition
- Printing
- First Impression
- Seller catalogs
- Beat Writers & Counter Culture, First Editions, Literature
Orlando Booksellers
Lincoln, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since January 11, 2000
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 8 to 12 business days | 6 to 8 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 20.00 | £ 25.00 |
Payment methods
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Paypal
Store description
We specialize in 20th Century literature, and in particular, Modern First Editions. We would be interested in buying such books, whether individual items or collections. We are particularly interested in Bloomsbury writers, Beats & Counter Culture and 20th C photography monographs. Our books can be viewed as a whole on ABE, or by choosing one of a number of catalogues that we have set up for particular interests, such as Crime Fiction & True Crime, Collectable Paperbacks, Children's Literature etc.…
Specialty
Modern First Editions, Literature, Literature in Translation, Bloomsbury Group, Counter-culture, Antiquarian, Collectable Paperbacks, Art & PhotographySeller's business information
Orlando Booksellers
1 Rasen Lane
Lincoln, United Kingdom LN1 3EZ
Terms of sale
Mastercard, Visa and PayPal accepted. We also accept personal cheques for UK sales, made out to Orlando Booksellers (UK pounds). Proof of postage is obtained for all items, however, we cannot be responsible for items lost or damaged in transit. Therefore, on higher value items, we offer the option of tracked (insured) shipping which offers peace of mind for both the bookseller and the customer. [See Shipping Terms section below for more information]. We always pack our books extremely well to protect them from any possible damage. Any title found not to be as described may be returned, provided this is done within fourteen days of its receipt. We are happy to offer a 10% discount on book prices for fellow booksellers. Orlando Booksellers is a partnership - Alison Smith and Chris McKee. Our VAT Registration number is 629 3707 21.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging materials; any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only; for the UK, our standard rate is for first class, and the priority rate includes tracked (signed for) delivery; for International sales, our standard rate is for Airmail delivery, and the priority rate is for tracked (International signed for) delivery. We would prefer that you choose the priority rate (tracked option) for higher value books of say £50 or more. Please note that we will always reduce shipping fees where appropriate e.g. for smaller (lighter) books when we accept your order. For heavier books and sets etc. we will often 'soak up' the extra cost, but on occasion, we may need to charge more than the quoted shipping fee. However, customers will always have the option to either accept or decline the revised order amount. We will also reduce the overall shipping fee for multiple orders. We will endeavour to ship all books within two business days of receiving your order.