Burroughs, William S.

Word Virus: The William S. Burroughs Reader (Two Editions)

New York, NY: Grove Press, 1998; 2000. First Edition. Hardcover; Softcover. Including an Association Copy inscribed & signed by James Grauerholz to Jim McCrary. (Shoaf, Section I, No. 92, pg. 65; Schottlaender, A76 (A), pg. 22). The first comprehensive compilation of shorter works & excerpts from longer works which covers all of the phases of William S. Burroughs' over half-century of literary achievement. Initially published in 1998, the year after his death, this is the first softcover edition, first printing, issued in 2000 (though copyrighted 1998). Edited, with critical-biographical essays introducing each section & epilogue by James Grauerholz- WSB's companion, foremost authority & keeper of his legacy. Co-edited by Ira Silverberg & with an introduction by noted scholar & author Ann Douglas. See Shoaf, Section I, No. 92c, pg. 65; Schottlaender, A76 (C), pg. 22. This is a very special copy, inscribed & signed by Grauerholz on the title page: "For Jim McCrary/ with love + gratitude-/ (?) the last 30 years have been/ good to you & me- look forward/ to the next 30;/ (heart symbol) (signed) James Grauerholz/ 7/12/00." Jim McCrary, the recipient of this very warm inscription, is a poet & educator who has long resided in Lawrence, Kansas, where he was a friend & associate of WSB during his later years; a member of Burroughs Communications led by Grauerholz. An excellent introduction to the scope & significance of the greatest Beat-&-Beyond writer, & a unique collectible with rich association & provenance. In fine condition with only mild rubbing & scratching to front, back covers & spine; very light wear & tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; short, faint crease near lower right corner of front cover; larger of same near lower left corner of back cover; moderate spotting to edges of text block, esp. upper edge. Interior very fine with only moderate spotting to blank inner front & back covers; very faint browning to some page leaves mostly at blank outer side margins. [ISBN: 0-8021-3694-X]. Along with this, we have included the first hardcover edition, first printing of "Word Virus," published the year after WSB's death and complete with never-played spoken word CD of WSB reading his works bound in as issued in still-sealed sleeve; "Spoken-Word CD" sticker affixed to dust jacket. An excellent introduction to the scope & significance of the greatest Beat-&-Beyond writer, & an increasingly rare collectible. Book & dust jacket in very fine condition, both substantially mint; CD sealed & never played as noted above. [ISBN: 0-8021-1629-9]. An extra handling fee will be added for shipping due to the weight of this item. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #4127]

Price: $150.00