Various (Rosset, Barney (Editor); Burroughs, William S.; Celine, Louis-Ferdinand; Hentoff, Nat; Lahr, John; Newfield, Jack; Schultz, John; Somsky, John; Sorel, Edward et al.)

Evergreen Review Vol. 12 No. 60 (November 1968)

New York, NY: Evergreen Review, Inc., 1968. First Printing. Book. This vintage issue of the legendary literary, cultural & arts journal chiefly edited by Barney Rosset features the story "Day the Records Went Up" by William S. Burroughs, accompanied by an illustration opposite its first page by John Somsky. As its introduction states, "The author of Naked Lunch offers a chilling picture of a time when mankind destroys itself by its consuming addiction- not to drugs- but to an overly righteous sense of the proprieties." A scathing, most darkly humorous, (relatively) linear & lucid post-cut-up masterpiece by the luminously brilliant Founding Father of the Beat Generation & beyond- where is he now when we need his insights more than ever? In his works such as this, if the reader comprehends its screaming relevance to our 21st century schizoid society...(pgs. 46-50, 76-77; Maynard & Miles, C215, pg. 158; Shoaf, Section III, No. 127, pg. 137; Schottlaender, C183, pg. 47). Also in this issue that appeared on the eve of the 1968 U.S. Presidential election, among the many milestones of that pivotal year in history: Front cover cartoon of the three candidates George C. Wallace, Hubert H. Humphrey & Richard M. Nixon riding a galloping pig by the great Edward Sorel; hard-hitting proto-Gonzo journalism by Nat Hentoff, Jack Newfield & John Schultz (the latter a recoup of the notorious Democratic National Convention that was held, & descended into chaos, in Chicago a few months earlier featuring an image of WSB in the company of Jean Genet & Allen Ginsberg 'covering' the event, pg. 32); "The Nymphettes of Siegmaringen, A Reminiscence" by Louis Ferdinand Celine; an early article on contemporary theater by the now-venerable critic & biographer John Lahr (son of Cowardly Lion Bert) & more. With many other pull-out-the-stops graphics, cartoons, images & illustrations throughout; letters; contemporary ads (including a colorful promotion for the film Barbarella starring Jane Fonda on back cover, exhorting "See/ Barbarella/ Do Her Thing!"). A key issue in this highly important series, from the eye of the 1968 hurricane & of particular significance to the dedicated WSB collector. In near-fine condition with mild-to-moderate rubbing, browning, spotting, small spot-staining, scratching & faint creasing to front, back covers & spine; very slight wear & some tiny bumps, creases at thin edges & corners of same; mild rubbing & browning to edges of text block. Interior fine with mild browning, light spotting mostly to blank margins of page leaves; tiny bumps, small creases at mostly upper corners/ edges of some of same; marginalia & encirclement in thin dark red ink at title page column & margin, the former crossed-out in thin black ink (hardly effecting any text). Near Fine. [Item #4536]

Price: $35.00