Introduction by William Carlos Williams. 6¼x5, original black wrappers overprinted in light blue, with white hand-pasted wrap-around paper label printed in black. First Edition, First printing, first issue (but with second issue leaf sheet).

Ginsberg's revolutionary poem, which had been seized by the U.S. Collector of Customs Chester MacPhee, soon after publication, setting off one of the most important episodes in the battle for freedom of the press, and against censorship. First printing with "75 cents" lettered in light blue on rear cover and only the 1956 date on the copyright page. First issue with dedication page listing Kerouac, Burroughs, Neal Cassady and Lucien Carr. However, leaf sheet containing pages 21 to 24 is from the second issue with the original staple impression slightly higher than the rest of the pages (possibly a binder error and done for later replacement). Pocket Poet Series No. 4. Cook, The City Lights Pocket Poets Series, pp. 21-22.