William Burroughs Book Covers
A selection of front covers of books by William S. Burroughs (click on thumbnail to enlarge)
JUNKIE
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| US Ace 1953 front |
US Ace 1953 back |
UK Digit 1957 front |
UK Digit 1957 back |
US Ace 1964 |
US Ace 1972 |
UK Olympia/NEL 1966 |
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| UK NEL 1969 |
UK NEL 1972 |
UK DBW 1973 |
UK Penguin 1977 |
UK Penguin 1984 |
US Penguin 1995 |
UK Penguin 1999 |
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| UK Penguin 2002 |
US Penguin 2003 |
UK Penguin 2008 |
France 1991 |
Germany 1976 |
Germany 1980 |
Germany 1996 |
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| Germany 1999 |
Brazil 2005 |
Croatia 2002 |
Czech Rep. 2002 |
Finland 2003 |
Hungary 2001 |
Italy 1962 |
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| Italy 1998 |
Italy 1998 |
Poland 1994 |
Slovenia 1992 |
Spain 1980 |
Spain 1999 |
Spain 2001 |
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| Japan 2003 |
Portugal 2004 |
Romania 2005 |
Turkey 1994 |
The 1953 Ace edition was a double volume, with Maurice Helbrant's Narcotic Agent included on the reverse.
The 1957 UK Digit edition was withdrawn shortly after publication, and the remaining copies pulped.
In 1977 the expurgations of the earlier edition were undone, and the title changed from Junkie to Junky. Some new material, and an introduction by Allen Ginsberg were added.
The 2003 "Definitive Edition" recreated the original text and included previously lost passages and a new chapter, together with additional material.
THE NAKED LUNCH
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| US Chi Rev, Spr 1958 |
US Chi Rev, Aut 1958 |
US Big Table 1959 |
France 1959 wrapper |
France 1959 cover |
US Grove 1962 |
UK Calder 1964 |
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| US Grove 1966 |
UK Corgi 1968 |
UK Corgi 1974 |
US Ballantine 1973 |
UK Paladin 1986 |
US Grove 1990 |
US Grove 1992 |
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| US Grove 1992 |
UK Paladin 1992 |
UK Flamingo 1993 |
UK Flamingo 2001 |
UK Flamingo 2001 |
US Grove 2001 |
US Harper 2005 |
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| UK Harper 2005 |
UK Harper 2008 |
UK 4th Estate 2009 |
Argentina 1971 |
Argentina 1971 |
France 1964 |
France 1984 |
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| France 1992 |
France 2002 |
Germany 1962 |
Germany 1972 |
Germany 1979 |
Germany 1988 |
Germany 1992 |
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| Germany 1999 |
Italy 1992 |
Italy 1995 |
Italy 2001 |
Italy 2003 |
Italy 2006 |
Brazil 1990 |
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| Brazil 2006 |
Croatia 2000 |
Czech Rep. 2003 |
Denmark 1967 |
Denmark 1998 |
Japan 2003 |
Netherlands 1972 |
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| Norway 2004 |
Poland 1995 |
Portugal 2002 |
Portugal 2006 |
Romania 2004 |
Russia 2003 |
Slovenia 1993 |
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| Spain 1980 |
Spain 1981 |
Spain 2004 |
Turkey 1999 |
Turkey 2006 |
Yugoslavia 1986 |
Ten episodes from Naked Lunch were published in Big Table, Spring 1959, including the two that had previously appeared in the banned Chicago Review, Spring and Autumn 1958.
The 1962 US edition (published 1964 in the UK) was substantially different from the 1959 Olympia edition, with expanded text, an introduction, "Atrophied Preface," and an appendix - "Letter from a master addict to dangerous drugs."
A transcript of the 1966 obscenity trial was included in the 1966 US edition, while later UK editions carried a further appendix - "UGH" - collected correspondence on the merits of Burroughs' work from the pages of the Times Literary Supplement, 1963-64.
The 2001 "Restored Text" edition includes many editorial corrections to earlier editions, as well as previously unpublished material and alternate drafts.
MINUTES TO GO
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| France 1960 |
US Beach 1968 |
THE EXTERMINATOR
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| US Auerhahn 1960 |
US Haselwood 1967 |
THE SOFT MACHINE
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| France 1961 wrapper |
France 1961 cover |
US Grove 1966 |
US Grove 1967 |
UK Calder 1968 |
UK Corgi 1970 |
US Ballantine 1973 |
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| UK Corgi 1974 |
UK Paladin 1986 |
US Grove 1992 |
UK Flamingo 1995 |
UK Flamingo 2001 |
France 1968 |
France 1969 |
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| France 1993 |
France 2005 |
Germany 1971 |
Germany 1974 |
Italy 1965 |
Italy 1994 |
Italy 2003 |
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| Japan 2004 |
Spain 1995 |
Spain 2003 |
Sweden |
There are major differences between the 1961 Olympia edition and the later ones. Complaints that the first version was difficult to read caused Burroughs to completely rewrite it for the 1966 Grove Press edition. Still unsatisfied, Burroughs rewrote it again for the 1968 UK publication by John Calder, which also has extra appendices.
THE TICKET THAT EXPLODED
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| France 1962 wrapper |
France 1962 cover |
US Grove 1967 |
US Grove 1968 |
UK Calder 1968 |
UK Corgi 1971 |
UK Calder 1985 |
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| UK Paladin 1987 |
US Grove 1987 |
US Grove 1992 |
UK Flamingo 2001 |
France 1969 |
Spain 1998 |
Sweden |
The 1967 and later editions featured a rearrangement of the text of the 1962 Olympia edition, with two additional chapters.
DEAD FINGERS TALK
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| UK Calder 1963 |
UK Tandem 1966 |
UK Tandem 1970 |
UK Star 1977 |
An amalgam of material from The Naked Lunch, The Soft Machine, and The Ticket That Exploded.
THE YAGE LETTERS
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| US Big Table 1959 |
US City Lights 1963 |
US City Lights 2000 |
US City Lights 2006 |
US City Lights 2006 |
UK Penguin 2008 |
France 1997 |
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| Germany 1964 |
Italy 1967 |
Portugal 1994 |
Spain 2006 |
Sweden 1988 |
Six of the letters were published as "In Quest of Yage" in Big Table 2, Summer 1959. The Yage Letters was first published by City Lights in 1963, and an expanded Redux edition in 2006.
ROOSEVELT AFTER INAUGURATION
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| US FY Press 1964 |
US FY Press 1964 |
US City Lights 1979 |
NOVA EXPRESS
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| US Grove 1964 |
UK Cape 1966 |
UK Cape 1966 |
UK Panther 1968 |
UK Panther 1969 |
UK Panther 1972 |
UK Panther 1978 |
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| US Grove 1992 |
UK Penguin 2010 |
Argentina 1972 |
France 1970 |
France 1975 |
Germany 1970 |
Germany 1973 |
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| Germany 1979 |
Germany 2000 |
Italy 1967 |
Italy 1982 |
Spain 1980 |
Spain 1995 |
Sweden 1968 |
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| Sweden |
TIME
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| US 1965 wrapper |
US 1965 cover |
APO-33: A METABOLIC REGULATOR
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| US FY Press 1966 |
US Beach 1966 |
SO WHO OWNS DEATH TV?
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| US Beach 1967, 1st edition |
US Beach 1967, 1st edn., variant |
US Beach 1967, 2nd edition |
BURROUGHS, PÉLIEU, KAUFMAN
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| France 1967 |
France 1998 |
THE DEAD STAR
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| US Nova Broadcast 1969 |
THE JOB
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| France 1969 |
France 1970 |
US Grove 1980 |
US Penguin 1989 |
UK Penguin 2008 |
Germany 1986 |
THE LAST WORDS OF DUTCH SCHULTZ
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| UK Cape 1970 |
US Viking 1975 |
US Seaver 1981 |
UK Calder 1986 |
US Arcade 1993 |
Germany 1971 |
Germany 1975 |
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| Italy 1970 |
Spain 1986 |
JACK KEROUAC
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| France 1971 |
ALI'S SMILE
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| UK Unicorn 1971 |
Germany 1973 |
Germany 1995 |
Germany 2000 |
THE WILD BOYS
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| US Grove 1971 |
UK Calder 1972 |
US Grove 1973 |
UK Corgi 1973 |
US Grove 1992 |
UK Penguin 2008 |
France 1973 |
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| France 1996 |
France 2003 |
France 2005 |
Germany 1980 |
Netherlands 1973 |
Russia |
ELECTRONIC REVOLUTION
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| UK Blackmoor 1971 |
UK Blackmoor 1971 |
UK Blackmoor 1971 |
Germany 1976 |
Germany 1998 |
Netherlands 1988 |
Portugal 1994 |
BRION GYSIN LET THE MICE IN
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| US Something Else 1973 |
EXTERMINATOR!
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| US Viking 1973 |
US Viking 1974 |
UK Calder 1974 |
UK Corgi 1976 |
US Penguin 1979 |
UK Penguin 1985 |
US Penguin 1995 |
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| UK Penguin 2008 |
Czech Rep. 1997 |
France 1974 |
Italy 1975 |
Italy 1994 |
Russia |
Spain 1976 |
WHITE SUBWAY
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| UK Aloes 1973 |
Spain 1977 |
MAYFAIR ACADEMY SERIES
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| UK Urgency Press 1973 |
UK Urgency Press 1973 |
PORT OF SAINTS
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| UK Covent Garden 1973 |
US Blue Wind 1980 |
UK Calder 1983 |
France 1992 |
France 1998 |
Russia 2003 |
THE BOOK OF BREETHING
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| UK OU, Henri Chopin 1974 |
US Blue Wind 1975 |
Germany 1982 |
SNACK
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| UK Aloes 1975 |
Argentina 1978 |
COBBLE STONE GARDENS
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| US Cherry Valley 1976 |
THE THIRD MIND
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| France 1976 |
US Viking 1978 |
US Seaver 1978 |
US Viking 1978 |
UK Calder 1979 |
France 1998 |
THE RETREAT DIARIES
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| US City Moon 1976 |
US City Moon 1976 |
Switzerland 1980 |
LETTERS TO ALLEN GINSBERG 1953-1957
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| Switzerland 1978 |
Swiss 1978 frontis |
Swiss 1978 note |
US Full Court Press 1982 |
AH POOK IS HERE
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| UK Calder 1979 |
DOCTOR BENWAY
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| US Bradford Morrow 1979 |
BLADE RUNNER, A MOVIE
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| US Blue Wind 1979 |
US Blue Wind 1986 |
Denmark 2004 |
Switzerland 1980 |
CITIES OF THE RED NIGHT
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| US Holt 1981 |
US Holt 1982 |
UK Picador 1982 |
US Holt 1995 |
US Picador 2001 |
UK Penguin 2010 |
Czech Rep. 1999 |
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| France 1981 |
Germany 1982 |
Hungary 2001
| Italy 2006 |
Portugal 2003 |
Romania 2003 |
Russia 2003 |
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| Russia 2005 |
EARLY ROUTINES
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| US Cadmus 1981 |
US Cadmus 1981 |
US Cadmus 1982 |
STREETS OF CHANCE
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| US Red Ozier 1981 |
SINKI'S SAUNA
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| US Pequod Press 1982 |
RE/SEARCH
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| US RE/Search 1982 |
THE PLACE OF DEAD ROADS
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| US Holt 1983 |
UK Paladin 1986 |
UK Flamingo 1994 |
US Holt 1996 |
US Picador 2001 |
UK Flamingo 2001 |
Germany 1985 |
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| Italy 1984 |
Czech Rep. 2001 |
Romania 2003 |
Russia 2004 |
Russia 2005 |
Spain 1994 |
THE BURROUGHS FILE
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| US City Lights 1984 |
RUSKI
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| US HJ Press 1984 |
US OJ Press 1984 |
THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE
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| Germany 1984 |
Germany 1984 |
Germany 2000 |
THE ADDING MACHINE
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| UK Calder 1985 |
UK Calder 1985 |
US Seaver 1986 |
US Arcade 1993 |
QUEER
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| UK Picador 1986 |
US Penguin 1985 |
US Penguin 1995 |
France 1995 |
Germany 1994 |
Italy 1998 |
Italy |
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| Poland 1993 |
Romania 2005 |
Spain 2003 |
Czech Rep. 2004 |
Finland 2004 |
Portugal 2005 |
Turkey 2001 |
THE WESTERN LANDS
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| US Viking 1987 |
US Penguin 1988 |
UK Picador 1988 |
UK Penguin 2010 |
France 1990 |
Germany 1988 |
Czech Rep. 2004 |
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| Portugal 1990 |
Romania 2005 |
Russia 2005 |
Spain 2003 |
CLAUSE 27 IS PROPOSITION
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| UK Horse Press 1988 |
INTERZONE
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| US Viking 1989 |
UK Picador 1989 |
UK Picador 1990 |
US Penguin 1990 |
US Penguin 1995 |
UK Penguin 2009 |
France 1991 |
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| Germany 1991 |
Turkey 2006 |
TORNADO ALLEY
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| US Cherry Valley 1989 |
Italy 1997 |
Germany 1997 |
PAINTINGS
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| Switzerland 1989 |
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
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| US Lococo 1991 |
PAINTING & GUNS
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| India, Hanuman 1992 |
THE CAT INSIDE
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| US Viking 1992 |
US Penguin 1992 |
UK Penguin 2009 |
Germany 1994 |
Czech Rep. 2002 |
Finland 2005 |
Italy 1994 |
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| Russia |
Spain 2007 |
Turkey 1997 |
Turkey 2003 |
PAPER CLOUD, THICK PAGES
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| Japan 1992 |
THE LETTERS OF WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS 1945-1959
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| US Viking 1993 |
US Penguin 1994 |
UK Picador 1993 |
UK Picador 1994 |
UK Penguin 2009 |
RIEN QUE DES MOTS
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| France Cahiers de Nuit 1994 |
PHOTOS AND REMEMBERING JACK KEROUAC
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| US White Fields 1994 |
THE JUNKY'S CHRISTMAS AND OTHER YULETIDE STORIES
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| UK High Risk 1994 |
GHOST OF CHANCE
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| UK High Risk 1995 |
UK High Risk 2002 |
France 1998 |
Germany 2003 |
Italy 1996 |
Japan 1996 |
Russia |
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| Spain 1997 |
Turkey 1996 |
MY EDUCATION: A BOOK OF DREAMS
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| US Viking 1995 |
UK Picador 1995 |
US Penguin 1996 |
UK Picador 1996 |
UK Penguin 2009 |
Czech Rep. 1999 |
France 1996 |
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| Japan 1998 |
Russia |
Serbia 1998 |
LAST WORDS: THE FINAL JOURNALS
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| US Grove 2000 |
UK Flamingo 2000 |
UK Flamingo 2001 |
UK Perfect 2001 |
France 2000 |
Germany 2001 |
Czech Rep. 2002 |
ÉPITAPHE POUR UN BEATNIK
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| France 2006 |
EVERYTHING LOST: The Latin American Notebook
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| US Ohio State UP 2008 |
AND THE HIPPOS WERE BOILED IN THEIR TANKS (with Jack Kerouac)
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| US Grove Press 2008 |
US Grove Press 2008 |
UK Penguin 2008 |
UK Nonist 2008 |
UK Penguin 2009 |
Collections
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| UK Picador 1982 |
US Grove 1980 |
US Grove 1988 |
US Grove 1998 |
UK Flamingo 1999 |
Germany 1985 |
Germany 1985 |
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| Germany 2003 |
Germany |
Germany 1979 |
Germany 1983 |
Germany 1995 |
Czech Rep. 1994 |
France 1994 |
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| France 1996 |
France 1996 |
France 1996 |
Russia 1999 |
Russia 2004 |
Russia |
Russia |
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| Russia 2004 |
Russia |
Thanks to James Birmingham, Alex Frazer-Harrison, Andrew Sclanders, Vojo Sindolic, and Horst Spandler for the use of their book cover images.
A selection of books by Jack Kerouac can be found here:
A selection of books by Neal Cassady can be found here:
A selection of books by John Clellon Holmes can be found here:
A selection of books by David Goodis can be found here:
