Reality Studio (Burroughs, William S.)

Secrets of the Olympia Press Naked Lunch

Coventry, England, UK: Beat Scene Press, 2021. Limited First Edition Thus. Stapled Wrappers. An essay which originally appeared & can still be found on the indispensable website that serves as "A William S. Burroughs Community": Reality Studio (realitystudio.org). The author of this essay, archived under "Editor" on the RS site, is not named. Most probably it is Jed Birmingham, the venerable super-scholar & collector of WSB who is the chief mastermind behind RS, & is credited with many of its articles & commentaries. The subjects of this essay are the stories behind the first publication of WSB's breakthrough work, Naked Lunch, as "The Naked Lunch" by Maurice Girodias' Olympia Press in Paris during 1959 (see our item No. 3487). The essay is followed by source notes & even some blog commentaries from the site. We recommend a look at this piece on the site (which all Third Minds should regularly peruse anyway), which includes some incredible, fascinating images that were not reproduced in this authorized printed version- which does include several classic early images of WSB & a drawing by Brion Gysin (WSB's great friend & collaborator) on front cover & interior which are not to be found on the RS site version. Chapbook-format booklet in stapled wrappers with flaps, a special production of Kevin Ring's Beat Scene Press in the UK (another indispensable resource, see our many Beat Scene magazine issues & other BSP productions), issued as No. 74 in its Pocket Book Series per back cover. One of an edition of 150 hand-numbered copies published during October 2021 per colophon, this is copy No. 28/150. A unique WSB-related collectible; an exemplary BSP instant rarity. In very fine, virtually as-new condition inside & out except for one very short, closed tear & creasing at lower corner, inner page leaf edges at stapled middle interior (a minor flaw as issued). Very Fine. [Item #8340]

Price: $40.00