NAKED LUNCH - WITH THE WRAPAROUND BAND & PUBLISHER'S ORIGINAL PROSPECTUS

New York: Grove Press, Inc, 1962. First American Edition. A superior copy of this Beat Generation cornerstone, a series of interconnected vignettes centered around full-time drug addict William Lee and his travels from the United States, to Mexico, to Tangier and the dreamlike Interzone. Basis for David Cronenberg's bizarre 1991 film adaptation starring Peter Weller, Judy Davis, and Ian Holm. Maynard & Miles A2b; Criterion 220. First Printing, one of 3,500 copies. Octavo (20.75cm); charcoal grey paper and black cloth-covered boards, with titles stamped in gilt on spinel; black topstain; dustjacket; original wraparound band; xvi,255,[1]pp. A few faint, tiny spots of finger-soil to right edge of textblock, else a fresh, Fine copy. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $6.00), with some pinpoint wear and a single tiny tear at crown; very Near Fine, without the usual fading to the spine.

Of especial note is the presence of the publisher's original wraparound band, which according to the bibliographer was issued with "some copies." Rather than an advertising blurb, it prints the following text in black: "Recommended for Sale to Adults Only $6.00," and instead of folding over the jacket flaps, was taped together and designed to keep the book sealed shut. Gentle sunning to a few folds, with a few faint creases, and a small tear along the right side; Very Good+. Perhaps the most compelling feature of this band is the presence of a holograph note (in pencil) in a contemporary hand, detailing the recipe for Apomorphine Treatment: "The compound Apomorphine is formed by boiling morphine with hydrocholoric acid."

Offered together with a copy of the publisher's original prospectus. Slim octavo (20.25cm); original pictorial wrappers, stapled; [16]pp. Subtle toning along right edge, else Near Fine.