Burroughs, William S.; Pelieu, Claude; Weissner, Carl

So Who Owns Death TV?

San Francisco, CA: Beach Books Texts & Documents, 1967. Variant First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. A gathering of three works, authored or heavily influenced by William S. Burroughs & his cut-up methods at their late high point (in order): "Objective Galactic Time Demolition Plan 23" by Claude Pelieu (1934-2002), the French avant-garde artist & writer who with his wife Mary Beach was a friend & collaborator with WSB & the publisher of this production (see below); "So Who Owns Death TV?," the title piece by Carl Weissner (1940-2012), the German writer who was the foremost translator of WSB's works into that language (though this & all texts here are in English); & an untitled text beginning with "A boy as quoted in The Desperate Years assembled..." by WSB, an exemplary cut-up in which both linear & column formats are employed. Chapbook-format stapled pamphlet of eight leaves forming sixteen pages including covers. This copy is from the extremely rare second variation of the true first printing/edition, with silver text on black paper. Maynard & Miles, A13, pgs. 58-60; Shoaf, Section I, No. 13(a), pg. 32; Schottlaender (new 5.0 edition!), A17(A), pg. 10. Per M&M, "There is a variant issue...in black with white printing and without '50(cents)' on inside front cover. The publisher estimates that 200 of these variants were issued." (pg. 60). The larger first edition/printing with black & red text on white paper is estimated to have consisted of 3000 copies (see our item No. 4595). The copy offered here has all points noted in M&M except for silver rather than "white" text. Shoaf & Schottlaender both refer to "silver printing" or "printed in silver ink" respectively in their entries for this variation. We therefore conclude that (with all due respect of course) M&M was mistaken in this one detail. This production is "a black bag pamphlet" by Beach Books Texts & Documents, distributed by Lawrence Ferlinghetti's City Lights Books, all as stated on front cover. BBT&D is the imprint of Mary Beach & Claude Pelieu as noted above. Beach & Pelieu were the mother, stepfather & in-laws respectively of Pamela Beach Plymell & her husband, the Legendary Literary Outlaw Charles Plymell- both also close friends & collaborators with WSB. We noticed that on the otherwise blank inner back cover is this fine print: "Vortex Printers/ Charley D. Plymell- Pamela Plymell/ 2180 Bryant/ San Francisco, California 94110." Among the Plymells' most famous of many accomplishments over a vast period as writers, editors, printers & publishers is that Charles was the stated printer of the very first 1968 edition of Robert Crumb's iconic Zap Comix No. 1 (see our item No. 2164), among the most coveted collectibles. To see Charles & Pamela's names here preceding & so close in time & place to Zap is thrilling to us as it should be to you, the Third Mind collector. An outstanding WSB-&-Co. collectible in its absolutely rarest contemporary form. In relatively quite exceptionally very fine condition with only the slightest touch of wear, fading at edges & corners of front, back covers, stapled spine & text block; tiny bumps at some corners, edges; otherwise substantially mint inside & out. Very Fine. [Item #6534]

Price: $200.00