THE SOFT MACHINE

Paris: The Olympia Press. 1961. First edition, first printing. First edition, first printing. Original green card covers with black lettering and black and white trim, complete with the Brion Gysin illustrated dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the wraps clean and bright, the contents lacking inscriptions or stamps. The upper portion of the later page-gatherings are detached a little from the inside of the spine panel, although the binding remains square and true. The top edge of the page block is a little dusty. There is a small, white, round label affixed to the rear panel, with a hand-written price covering the original printed price. The dustwrapper, with some mild toning to the spine and a little rubbing to edges and folds, remains sharp and clean. Not price-clipped and correctly priced (15,00-) to the front flap. A very attractive example of the first issue of Burroughs' third (published) novel, and the first part of 'The Nova Trilogy'. No. 88 in the Olympia Press 'Traveller's Companion' series, and the second Burroughs novel to appear in the iconic green livery of the Parisian press, following 'The Naked Lunch' (No. 76) two years earlier. This, the first version of 'The Soft Machine', is a notably more fragmentary and radical text than the two subsequent revisions published respectively by Grove Press in 1966 and John Calder in 1968. 5000 copies were printed. (Maynard & Miles A5a; Shoaf 5). Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.