Malcolm Mc Neill's "Ah Pook Is Here" jigsaw puzzle (2009)

n.p.: Malcolm Mc Neill (boxed puzzle), 2009. 
11.75" x 9.25" x 2.5" box, bagged pieces with informational sheet.

Ah POOK IS HERE, by Malcolm Mc Neill, an illustration for a planned graphic book collaboration with William S. Burroughs, here released in an edition of 50 copies, as a boxed puzzle and an informational sheet. 

Ah Pook Is Here was a planned early graphic novel of sorts between Burroughs and Mc Neill, which was not fully realized in publication. The text was published by Calder Books without the images in the hope of finding a publisher for the full version. When it became clear that no publisher would take the risk, the project came to an end." [Mc Neill, p. 126]

Later, Fantagraphics Books was willing to publish the book as collaboratively intended, but "[t]he Burroughs estate, however, would not agree to allow any of Bill's text to be included." [Mc Neill, p.127]. Fantagraphics was threatened with an injunction, and they reduced the scope to publish the art without the words.

This puzzle was issued in parallel with an exhibition of the artwork in 2009.

This copy is #8 of the 50 copies, and was acquired directly from Malcolm Mc Neill in 2020. It was inscribed by Mc Neill: "For friend Demi Raven – / 'Hero of the Fever' / Malcolm Mc Neill 2020". A set of exhibition cards, also signed by Malcolm, and a set of pre-publication marketing postcards, also signed by Malcolm, were included in the box when received.