Books

London: Andre Deutsch Limited, 1958. First British edition, second impression. 8vo. Red cloth, stamped in gilt on spine; illustrated dust jacket; corners bumped with a few small chips; unclipped, price of 15s net present on front flap; minor foxing to page edges. Dust jacket illustrated by Len Deighton. First British edition, second impression. 8vo. The first British edition of Kerouac's iconic novel of travel, adventure, and self-discovery, which had been released in the United States the previous year. Featuring a unique dust jacket by the author Len Deighton, who, prior to embarking on his writing career, worked as a book and magazine illustrator in London. His first novel, the critical and commercial success The IPCRESS File, was published four years later in 1962.

Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel "On the Road" is an emblematic portrait of the Beat Generation, capturing the yearning for freedom and authenticity against postwar American conformity. This semi-autobiographical work, based on the adventures of Kerouac and his friends across America, is often seen as a defining work of the countercultural movements of the 1950s and 60s. It chronicles the cross-country voyages of Sal Paradise, Kerouac’s alter ego, and Dean Moriarty, a free-spirited, charismatic rebel. "On the Road" is structured around several trips made by Sal and Dean, describing their escapades as they travel back and forth across the country. These journeys are less about the destinations and more about the experiences they gather, the people they meet, and the quest for meaning in a society perceived as rigid and materialistic. The narrative style of the book, known for its spontaneous, stream-of-consciousness prose, mirrors the tumultuous, impulsive lives of its characters. The novel not only explores physical journeys but also personal and spiritual ones. Dean's frenetic energy and Sal’s introspective nature contrast sharply, yet both characters are united in their disdain for conventional values. They indulge in jazz, poetry, and drug use—exploring alternative forms of consciousness and relationships.

A true first edition can be identified by a black cloth binding with white lettering on the spine, a mention of 'New York Herald Tribune' on the back cover but without 'New York Times' on the back cover, and a photo of Jack Kerouac watching a parade.