"In Search of Yage: A William S. Burroughs Pictorial" (1999)

Forest Knolls, California, US: Skyline Books (photo album), 1999.
7.5" x 11.125" x 0.375", three photographs on backing pages with interleaved paper covers, post-bound, lettered.

In Search of Yage: A William S. Burroughs Pictorial, a photo album of William S. Burroughs published by James Musser of Skyline Books (Forest Knolls, California, US) in 1999 in an edition of only 26 lettered copies.  Designed and hand-assembled by Johnny Brewton of the X-Ray Book Co. on hand-made paper. 

As noted on the colophon page: "In the early 1950s William Burroughs traveled to the jungles of South America to experiment with the mind-altering vine, ayahuasca, or yage. He was intrigued by accounts that the plant was used by curanderos to heal, produce visions, and of particular interest to Burroughs, enhance telepathic powers. These photographs, two of which are previously unpublished, were taken by an unknown person who accompanied Burroughs on his expedition through the Amazon."

It is speculated, yet unproven, that the photographer was ethnobotanist Dr. Richard Evans Schultes, who helped Burroughs in his search for yagé.

This is copy 'C' of the 26 lettered copies, acquired from the estate of Burroughs collector Lon Stacks (Detroit, Michigan, US). Very rare.

Shoaf IV.241.
Schottlaender v4.A77.