The points of issue
Titled 'The Naked Lunch'; Traveller's Companion Series no. 76, in an edition of about 5,000 copies. Key first-issue point: a green decorative border to the title page. The earliest state has 'Francs: 1.500' printed on the lower rear wrapper. Pictorial wrapper/jacket designed by Brion Gysin.
Is this the true first?
Olympia Press Paris 1959 is the true first; the US edition (Grove Press, 1962, as 'Naked Lunch') follows. The franc devaluation came roughly six months after the July 1959 publication, so the 1.500-franc state precedes copies overstamped or re-priced 'NF 18' (new francs).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
There is no book-club edition of the Olympia first. The later state has the original franc price crossed out or overwritten with 'New Price NF 18'; the green title-page border remains the key first-issue tell regardless of the pricing state.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Naked Lunch (The Naked Lunch) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Titled 'The Naked Lunch'; Traveller's Companion Series no. 76, in an edition of about 5,000 copies. Key first-issue point: a green decorative border to the title page. The earliest state has 'Francs: 1.500' printed on the lower rear wrapper. Pictorial wrapper/jacket designed by Brion Gysin.
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 Press Paris 1959 is the true first; the US edition (Grove Press, 1962, as 'Naked Lunch') follows. The franc devaluation came roughly six months after the July 1959 publication, so the 1.500-franc state precedes copies overstamped or re-priced 'NF 18' (new francs).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
There is no book-club edition of the Olympia first. The later state has the original franc price crossed out or overwritten with 'New Price NF 18'; the green title-page border remains the key first-issue tell regardless of the pricing state.
I have a first edition of Naked Lunch (The 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.