Books

NY: Grove Press, 1966. First edition, first prnt. Inscribed by John Montgomery on the verso of the half-title page. "For R Andrews, GMF, Bayview, So. of Mkt. I am named on p.23. It was Kerouac's idea that my descent is English yet none is such. My name is considered Scots now but was brought to England as French & known origin is in Denmark but is probably Celtic. Ferlinghetti was told at Gallimard Press to help Kerouac if seen as he was falling down drunk. He liked J. Walker Red Label. John Montgomery." Touch of shelfwear at board corners and beginning page toning; dustjacket with price-clip and abrasion on the spine. Tight copy in Very Good condition in a Very Good dustjacket with an archival cover. John Montgomery was a friend of Kerouac and the basis for the character Henry Morley in The Dharma Bums.. Inscribed by Subject. First Edition. Hardcovers. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Association Copy.

The Dharma Bums is a 1958 novel by Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac. The semi-autobiographical story is based on the author's experiences during the mid-1950s while living in California, after he'd become interested in Buddhism's spiritual mode of understanding. One of the main characters, Japhy Ryder, is based on the real poet Gary Snyder, who was a close friend and whose interest in Buddhism influenced Kerouac.

A true first edition can be identified by the specific cover design and the absence of later edition statements or printing numbers. For 'The Dharma Bums', Viking Press first editions are typically identified by the 1958 date on the title page and dust jacket with the specific triangular mountain design.