Junkie: Confessions of an Unredeemed Drug Addict; bound with NARCOTIC AGENT - SIGNED as Burroughs and Lee

USA: ACE Books, 1953. A first edition, first printing. SIGNED by the Author. In publisher's original pictorial card wrappers. A superb near fine copy, the binding is square and firm, minutely rubbed to the extremities. No creasing to the spine whatsoever. The spine is unusually bright and clear. Browning to the paper, as is usual given the low quality of the paper stock used. A really sharp copy of the semi-autobiographical debut novel. SIGNED on the title page, 'William Burroughs/ for William Lee'. Most copies found are inscribed and addressed to a dedicatee - the nature of the signing is unique. For the first two editions of 'Junkie', Burroughs employed the pseudonym of William Lee. During the period in which the novel was written, the author corresponded regularly with Allen Ginsberg, and it was Ginsberg, struck by the richness of the letters, who pressed him to write the novel. Ginsberg, acting as Burroughs' agent, was instrumental in the publication of 'Junkie', persuading A. A. Wyn, owner of Ace Books to accept the book for publication. Receiving the good news, Burroughs wrote to Ginsberg, 'You really are a sweetheart. I could kiss you on both cheeks. We should get used to calling each other sweetheart. I understand it is the standard for of address between agent and author, but this time I mean it.' Published in pulp form and quality, back to back with Maurice Helbrandt's 'Narcotic Agent', 'Junkie', like the other Ace Books, was mass produced and designed to be disposable - this example is an unusually well preserved example and the first we have seen signed in this way.