Burroughs Jr., William S. (Ginsberg, Allen).

William S. Burroughs Jr. Bundle: Two Editions of Speed, with: Defiance #2 (Featuring Billy’s “Lexington Addict’s Hospital” Essay Contribution)

New York, NY; London, England; New York, NY: Olympia Press; Sphere Books Limited; Coronet Communications, 1970; 1971. First Edition; First Edition Thus. Softcover. "SPEED is the autobiographical novel of William Burroughs Jr's methedrine inspired Odyssey through New York's asphalt jungle. With painful candor he explores the horizons of the speed freak's world- hustling for dope and money, harassed by the police, crashing in overcrowded, garbage strewn pads, and guiding his paranoid needle-brother Chad through the dangerous city streets. Totally stripped of remorse, self pity or sentiment, SPEED is a milestone in the younger generation's alienation from middle class society and its values." (back cover). The barely fictionalized memoir by William S. Burroughs III (1947-1981), son of WSB who was born to a severely benzedrine-&-alcohol addicted mother, Joan Vollmer, whom his father accidentally shot & killed when he was only five years old; & who would precede his father's death by sixteen years. With a brief foreword by Allen Ginsberg, where he wrote: "Senior had done his first job with the universe. Where will consciousness go next generation?" Well, in answer to Ginsberg's question, you might say that "Billy" (as WSB III was called) is where the buck stopped. Included in this bundle is the true first edition—published by the U.S. branch of Maurice Girodias' Olympia Press, legendary publisher of the first edition of WSB's Naked Lunch, from 1970; a mass-market softcover First Edition Thus from Sphere Books, LTD. in the UK with its own unique cover art (featuring a menacing junkie's syringe over a clay figure that we think resembles Roger Daltrey circa "Who's Next." ) from 1971; and “Defiance #2,” a compilation of radical writings which features the essay "Lexington Addict's Hospital" by William S. Burroughs, Jr. (actually William S. Burroughs III, 1947-1981). Other contributions to “Defiance #2” include fiery articles by two anonymous Weatherman members ("The Long and Winding Road to the Underground"), on feminism, gay liberation & the Vietnam War; poems by Dial-A-Poem pioneer (& associate of WSB) John Giorno & much more. A paperback original, stated first printing of March, 1971. A vintage relic of the 1960s-fallout counterculture- "right on," "power to the people" etc., which still echoes & recreates itself- & a rare, important appearance by WSB III. (1) Olympia Press First Edition in very good condition; cover still bright with tight spine; typical yellowing to pages; some scattered marginalia in pencil present; modest rubbing to front, back covers (ubiquitously found on every edition we have yet seen of this title); previous owner's stamp and signature blackened with marker on inside of front and rear covers; some chipping to pages 183-191 on rightmost fine-edge. Photographs on the front and back covers by the great poet-photographer-raconteur-mystic Ira Cohen. (2) Sphere Books LTD. Edition in near-fine condition with moderate-to-mild rubbing, scratching & light creasing to front, back covers & spine; mild wear & small-to-tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; moderate browning, rubbing & scratching at edges of text block. Interior very fine with only inevitable browning esp. at blank margins of pulp-quality page leaves; small-to-tiny bumps at upper corners of first 20-30 of same; stamped series of small numbers at blank upper right corner of first page. A very interesting, quite rare early incarnation of this intriguing and important work. A wild read, and a must for the completist WSB-&-Son collector. (3) “Defiance #2” in exceptionally fine condition considering the circumstances with only very slight browning, rubbing & soiling to edges of front, back covers & spine, mild vertical creases along spine & upper left corner of back cover, very mild scratching & soiling of edges; interior very fine & tight with only inevitable browning to edges of pages. Very Good; Near Fine; Fine. [Item #4172]

Price: $200.00