The points of issue
Green pictorial wrappers, Traveller's Companion Series No. 76. First state has the rear wrapper printed 'Francs: 1500'. Title on the book is 'The Naked Lunch' (the 'The' was dropped for the US Grove edition). Author credited as 'William Burroughs' (no middle initial).
Is this the true first?
Olympia Paris (1959) is the true world first. First state = 'Francs: 1500' on rear wrapper; second state = copies overstamped/restickered '18 NF' after France's Jan 1960 currency revaluation (same sheets, repriced). The US first is Grove Press, 1962 (as 'Naked Lunch'), itself collectible but a later edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club. Distinguish first state ('Francs: 1500') from the repriced '18 NF' second state. The Grove 1962 US edition is a separate, later first-American — not to be confused with the Olympia true first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Naked Lunch a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Green pictorial wrappers, Traveller's Companion Series No. 76. First state has the rear wrapper printed 'Francs: 1500'. Title on the book is 'The Naked Lunch' (the 'The' was dropped for the US Grove edition). Author credited as 'William Burroughs' (no middle initial).
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. Olympia Paris (1959) is the true world first. First state = 'Francs: 1500' on rear wrapper; second state = copies overstamped/restickered '18 NF' after France's Jan 1960 currency revaluation (same sheets, repriced). The US first is Grove Press, 1962 (as 'Naked Lunch'), itself collectible but a later
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club. Distinguish first state ('Francs: 1500') from the repriced '18 NF' second state. The Grove 1962 US edition is a separate, later first-American — not to be confused with the Olympia true first.
I have a first edition of Naked Lunch — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.