Various (Lerman, Leo (Editor); Barbie, Klaus; Barthelme, Donald; Burroughs, William S.; Foucault, Michel; Gray, Francine du Plesix; Newton, Helmut; Stella, Frank; Trudeau, Garry et al.)

Vanity Fair Vol. 46 No. 9 (November 1983)

New York, NY, USA: Conde Nast, 1983. First Edition. Large-Format Softcover. "...To enter a public pod without an erection is an act of gross aggression, like coming in with a snarling dog." (excerpt "The Baron Says These Things," pg. 106). This very-vintage issue of the venerable Vanity Fair magazine edited by Leo Lerman (1914-1994) features an excerpt from Beat Generation Founding Father William S. Burroughs' (1914-1997) The Place of Dead Roads (pgs. 104-109; See also Item No.s 2905 & 6143) entitled "The Baron Says These Things." "The Baron" often appears in Burroughs' inventive narratives, embodying a blend of literary and fantastical elements and is depicted as a character with a unique style and a powerful presence, often associated with themes of adventure and the Wild West. "The Place of Dead Roads," the second entry in "The Red Night Trilogy," chronicles the story of a gay gunfighter in the American West, beginning with the gunfighter's death in 1899, incorporates contrasting themes and time travel episodes, and makes use of Burroughs’ extensive knowledge of firearms. Non-linear in construction, it makes use of vivid imagery and repetition but does not employ the famous “cut-up” method of literary collage used in his earlier novels. Also in this historic issue is the article "When Memory Goes" (pgs. 114-134) about the upcoming trial of Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie (1913-1991) and the atrocities committed by him & his fellow nazis during WWII by French-American writer, literary critic & cover star Francine du Plesix Gray (1930-2019); an analyzation "How We Behave" (pgs. 60-69), by Michel Foucault (1926-1984), the great French philosopher & single most cited scholar in the humanities; a photograph spread (pgs. 96-103) of the bedrooms of celebrities David Bowie (1947-2016), Charlotte Rampling (b. 1946) & David Hockney (b. 1937) by German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton (1920-2004); a quick write-up of the soon to be realeased "Doonesbury" musical from "Doonesbury" creator Garry Trudeau (b. 1948); a critical overview of American Painter Frank Stella's (1936-2024) career ("Stella'sThird Dimension," pgs. 85-93); a short fiction by American novelist Donald Barthelme (1931-1989) & much more- with spectacular contributions by many authors, journalists & artists who have faded from notoriety since the publication of this issue. Among the aspects of this issue, & similar magazines from this era, that most fascinate us are the beautifully produced, suave advertisements for clothing, liquor & especially automobiles. From the collection of our good friend & colleague Brian E.C. Schottlaender (b. 1952), the most-distinguished American librarian-academician who is the author of "Anything But Routine: A Selectively Annotated Bibliography of William S. Burroughs," now in its fifth edition- an indispensable Burroughsian Resource which we always consult for our WSB curations (Schottlaender C. 560, pg. 88). Large-format magazine with high-quality glossy covers & pages. An extraordinary, aesthetically superb relic, particularly rare & significant among the Vanity Fair numbers for collectors of the trifecta of Iconic American authors noted above, with relevant association & very distinguished provenance, complete with attached subscription cards (Between pgs. 112-113). In relatively fine-to- very fine condition with mild-to-moderate rubbing & mostly faint scratching to front, back covers & spine; light wear & some tiny bumps, creases at/from edges & corners of same; moderate rubbing & age-toning to edges of text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with mild-to-moderate age-toning, minimal rubbing to inner covers & page leaves; a bit of wear & some tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of leaves. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8700]

Price: $40.00