Cobble Stone Gardens by William S. Burroughs (signed)

Cobble Stone Gardens by William S. Burroughs – Signed First Trade Edition (VG+ or Fine-)

Product Description

First trade edition of William S. Burroughs’ Cobble Stone Gardens, published in 1976 by Cherry Valley Editions. This copy is hand-signed by William S. Burroughs on the title page. This autobiographical and experimental prose collection is issued in the original pictorial card wrappers (wraps) and includes several pages of black-and-white photographic plates from the author’s personal collection. See condition report below. [3.5]

Historical Significance & Burroughs’ History

Cobble Stone Gardens serves as an important biographical and literary marker in the Burroughs bibliography, representing a pivotal era in his life and creative output:

• The Return to America: Written and published shortly after Burroughs permanently returned to the United States in 1974 after decades of expatriate living in Tangier, Paris, and London. Settling into “The Bunker” in New York City, this period marked a massive resurgence in his status as a counterculture icon and a elder statesman of the avant-garde.
• Reflecting on the Midwest: Named after the gift and antique shop operated by his parents in St. Louis, Missouri, during his youth, the work synthesizes childhood memories of the 1920s American Midwest with his trademark cut-up techniques. It captures a rare, deeply personal, and nostalgic look at his patrician upbringing, juxtaposed against his radical literary style.
• The Cherry Valley Press Network: Published by Cherry Valley Editions—a key independent press founded by poets Charles Plymell and Pamela Beach Plymell—this release documents a vital intersection between the Beat Generation’s senior figures and the 1970s underground literary publishing network. Plymell had previously printed the first edition of Burroughs’ The Apocalypse and remained a close collaborator.

Condition Description

We grade this copy as Very Good+ (VG+) based on the following specific attributes:

• Signature: Clean, bold signature by William S. Burroughs directly on the title page. Uninscribed (no personal dedication).
• Structure: The binding remains tight, square, and completely uncreased along the spine. Exterior pictorial wrappers are exceptionally crisp. One tiny dark mark  that can be seen on front cover wrap right side and a small bend near top right of back cover, otherwise a clean copy.
• Interior: Pages are clean, bright, and entirely free from other owner signatures, stamps, marginalia, or foxing.
• Edges: Show no notable shelf wear, rubbing, or corner bumping. An excellent, well-preserved collector’s copy.

Specifications

• Title: Cobble Stone Gardens
• Author: William S. Burroughs
• Features: Signed by Author on Title Page
• Publisher: Cherry Valley Editions (Cherry Valley, NY)
• Year: 1976
• Format: First Trade Paperback Edition (Stiff Pictorial Wrappers)
• Pagination: 53 pp.
• Condition Grade: Fine (F)

$ 195.00