Huncke's Junkie

New York: Ace Double Books (D-15, 1953). Printed tête-bêche with Maurice Helbrant's Narcotic Agent

Burroughs first book, as William Lee, late-inscribed to Herbert Huncke, the model for one of the characters in the book and the person that first gave heroin to Burroughs.

Signed to Huncke at a B. Dalton Booksellers signing event in Greenwich Village, NYC on December 17, 1987 – Huncke’s appearance at that event is a known fact, as Rob Warren’s (bookseller) copy was signed by both Burroughs and Huncke then. 

"For Herbert who appears in these [?] page an old friend and fellow travellor [sic] William S. Burroughs 12/17/1987" 

This copy went from Huncke, possibly through Linda Twigg, and then certainly to Roger Richards' Rare Book Room, where it was acquired by a known collector friend of Ira Cohen & Hakim Bey.  After that owner's passing it went to Shiv Marabito from whom I acquired it in 2023. 

Likely not the only copy signed to Huncke – as friends signed books for friends in need of cash, and Huncke was always living at the edge – yet an important book, an important association, great provenance, and the only copy to Huncke I have seen.

M&M A1a
Shoaf Sec. I, No. 1
Schottlaender v4.A1.A

External Links: 

• Wikipedia: Junkie (novel)
• RealityStudio: Junkie