Various (Burroughs, William S.)

Big Table 1

Chicago, IL: Big Table, Inc., Spring 1959. First Printing. Softcover. A famous & essential collector's item, this is "the complete contents of the suppressed winter 1959 Chicago Review" as noted on the front cover. As editor Irving Rosenthal explains in his introductory editorial, the authorities of University of Chicago Press would not allow contributions by William S. Burroughs or Jack Kerouac in the Chicago Review, due to their then-very controversial nature, so this new publication was created to include them. This first issue contains ten episodes from WSB's Naked Lunch, which would first be published in its entirety later that year by the Olympia Press in Paris as The Naked Lunch. Kerouac's contribution is the first appearance of his quintessential work of prose-poetry, Old Angel Midnight, in 49 chapter-stanzas. Kerouac also suggested the title "Big Table," according to his entry in Notes on Contributors. Also contributions by Gregory Corso & Edward Dahlberg. A key item in any serious WSB collection, an original softcover with sewn binding in fine condition with only very mild rubbing & soiling to covers & spine, mild soiling, spotting & scratches to edges, what may be a feint remainder mark slanted across bottom edge; interior very fine with hardly any browning & a light vertical crease across top of most pages. Fine. [Item #1803]

Price: $75.00