Burroughs, William

The Mayan Caper. Typescript manuscript  in red ink with numerous autograph corrections and changes, 10 leaves typed on rectos only (13 x 8 in.; 255 x 125 mm).  Tangier, 1964, signed and dated by the author on the final page. Some minor toning to edges, a few light stains not affecting legibility.

Some minor toning to edges, a few light stains not affecting legibility.
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Burroughs original manuscript for the central episode of his novel The Soft Machine.

While the original 1961 Olympia Press edition of The Soft Machine employed the cut-up technique to describe the control mechanisms that invade the body (the "soft machine" of the title), the Grove Press edition of 1966 was largely reworked by Burroughs to convey a more traditional narrative. The present is for this second, revised edition and the crucial central "routine,"  the account of a time-traveller who employs the tape machines the Mayan priests use to control their maize empire against them. By changing the recordings/narratives he changes the history and control mechanisms fail. Burroughs fascination with the absolute power of Mayan priests was a theme from Naked Lunch up to Cities of the Red Night.

"... I cut radio static into the control music and festival recordings together with sound and image track rebellion. Cut word lines — Cut music lines — Smash the control images — Smash the control machine — Burn the books — Kill the priests — Kill! Kill! Kill! — ”

Burroughs manuscript material, especially from the Tangier/Nova Trilogy period rarely appears at auction.