Burroughs, William S.

White Subway

London, England: Aloes seolA, 1973. First Edition; First Printing. Softcover. Signed by William S. Burroughs to noted scholar & collector Donald L. Kaufmann. "The white subway gathered silent speed as buildings and landscapes slid by- faster- faster- a blur of film flakes then pictures leaped into sharp focus- mist and frogs in 1920 roads- morning sleep of detour- needle beer in Sid's. He was in a long tunnel of old photos stretching back to his childhood- back- back- "STOP." " (from "Unfinished Cigarette") The legendary compilation of sixteen short works of imagination by William S. Burroughs, the supreme figure of the Beat Generation & Beyond, from the late 1950s through the mid-1960s; originally published in a variety of independent journals including Big Table, Birmingham Bulletin (where the above-quoted story first appeared in its second issue of Autumn 1963), Paris Review & Transatlantic Review. This copy is one of the first printings in an edition of 1000 issued in September 1973, with all points noted in Maynard & Miles (A24a, pgs. 85-87). Although this is not among the 25 copies of the first edition officially numbered & signed by the author, WSB has hand-written on the title page: "For Don Kaufmann/ (signed) William S. Burroughs." Donald L. Kaufmann (1927-2015) was a long-time professor of English at the University of Southern Florida & an avid literary collector, particularly of Norman Mailer, about whom he wrote several noted studies. A most desirable WSB collectible classic, with important association & provenance. In especially superb condition with only the tiniest bumps at corners of front, back covers; a bit of wear & faintest creasing at spine edges; otherwise virtually pristine inside & out. Very Fine. [Item #2903]

Price: $500.00