Vietnam/The Sixties 2, Sixties Literature 7
276. SCHENKMAN, J. Artwork. (n.p.): (n.p.), 1973. Original inside back cover artwork for an unspecified book, an ink drawing entitled "Western Still Life." Schenkman was one of the major comix artists at the height of the popularity of underground comics--1968-74. His work appeared with the likes of R. Crumb, Spain Rodriguez, Kim Deitch and others in such comix as Arcade, Gothic Blimp Works, and the San Francisco Comic Book. He also had a couple of solo publications of his own work, including Schenkman's Country Hits Jamboree (1972) and Half-Ton Pickup (also 1972). This image shows a very densely populated Western urban street scene, with various counterculture types and other lowlifes involved in various unsavory activities--somewhat reminiscent of the comic art of S. Clay Wilson. Approximately 15 1/4" x 11 1/4". Near fine.
277. SELTZER, Richard. The Lizard of Oz. West Roxbury: B&R Samizdat Express, 1974. A fable about loss of innocence and hope in an impersonal, technological age. The text reproduces the author's holograph and the volume is illustrated with line drawings by Christin Couture. Inscribed by the author in 1975. Near fine in wrappers.
278. SIMON, Roger L. The Mama Tass Manifesto. NY: HRW (1970). A novel of youth politics in the late Sixties, with an emphasis on the implications of violent political action. For all its idealistic dimensions, it seems impossible to ignore that one of the legacies of the political movements of the Sixties is that of direct, individual, violent political action and terrorism. The author of this novel went on to write several detective thrillers featuring a protagonist who had grown out of the Sixties counterculture. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.
279. SINCLAIR, John. Guitar Army: Street Writings, Prison Writings. (NY): Douglas Book (1972). A counterculture manifesto, written by the founder of the White Panthers, a loose political party associated with the counterculture, which evolved into the Rainbow People's Party, which is still ongoing. Heavily illustrated; printed on rainbow-colored pages, and with a "Rainbow Reading and Listening List" in the back that provides a useful bibliography of the books important to the counterculture. Fine in a fine dust jacket and signed by the author.
280. -. Another copy, unsigned. Near fine in dust jacket with light edgewear.
281. -. Same title, the simultaneous issue in wrappers. Fine.
282. SMITH, Patti. Babel. NY: Putnam (1978). The uncorrected proof copy of this book of poems and writings by the noted poet/rock singer, who was an influential part of the New York City counterculture and underground scene in the late Sixties and Seventies, associating with such figures as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, William Burroughs, the Velvet Underground, Robert Mapplethorpe, Sam Shepard and others. With a business card signed by the editor, William Targ, laid in. Slight edge-sunning; split along the rear spine fold. Very good in wrappers. A very scarce proof: we have never seen another copy.
283. -. Same title, the first British edition (London: Virago, 1978). Heavily illustrated with photographs that are not reproduced in the proof listed above. The British edition prints excerpts from the reviews that greeted U.S. publication, including a New York Times review that connects her writings to those of Lautréamont, Bataille and Genet. Near fine in wrappers.
Feminist Manifesto by Andy Warhol's Would-Be Assassin
284. SOLANAS, Valerie. S.C.U.M. Manifesto. NY: Olympia Press (1968). An over-the-top radical feminist manifesto, written by the woman who shot Andy Warhol as the first step in her plan to do away with all men. Near fine in wrappers.
285. (SPIEGELMAN, Art). Whole Grains. NY: Douglas Links (1973). A book of quotations, co-edited and illustrated by Spiegelman. Many of the figures quoted are counterculture figures--Augustus Stanley Owsley III, Wavy Gravy, Jerry Garcia, etc.--or figures who inspired the counterculture--Henry Miller, Che Guevara, William S. Burroughs, and many, many others. Spiegelman's illustrations adorn the covers and the chapter heads. Spiegelman had contributed to a number of underground comix in the late Sixties and early Seventies; his 1992 memoir of the Holocaust, written in comic book format featuring mice and rats as the characters, won the Pulitzer Prize. Ink price front cover, modest general rubbing; still near fine in wrappers.
286. SPOCK, Benjamin. Typed Note Signed. June 14, 1967. A short note to a young writer and antiwar activist regarding his having signed a statement of support for draft resistance during the Vietnam war. Spock was the leading specialist in child-rearing principles for two generations and his public posture on the war and related issues was of considerable importance in framing the national debate and, in particular, gaining credibility and middle class acceptance for the antiwar movement. Stain at right edge, not affecting text. Folded for mailing; very good.
287. (Surfing). ST. PIERRE, Brian. The Fantastic Plastic Voyage. NY: Coward-McCann (1969). Account of traveling with a group of surfers through the South Pacific and making a surfing movie. Illustrated with photographs. An aspect of Sixties culture that often gets overlooked in the emphasis on political protest and the hippie counterculture. Fine in a good, price-clipped dust jacket with several internally tape-repaired edge chips.
288. THOM, Robert. Wild in the Streets. NY: Pyramid (1968). Paperback original, a novelization of one of the first movies to focus on the youth culture, about a teen rebellion on the coattails of a rock star, which overwhelms the political process--a Sixties cult film. By the writer who did the screenplay. Previous owner name and stamps inside front cover; otherwise near fine.
289. THOMAS, Piri. Down These Mean Streets. NY: Knopf, 1967. A powerful memoir of a Puerto Rican boy growing up in New York, which became a staple on school reading lists in the late Sixties and early Seventies--one of the earliest books to bring contemporary multicultural perspectives into the classroom. Ex-school library copy and stamped as such. Otherwise a near fine copy in a near fine, spine-tanned dust jacket.
Scarce British Edition of Hunter Thompson's First Book
290. THOMPSON, Hunter S. Hell's Angels. London: Allen Lane, 1967. The first book by the Gonzo reporter who later gained counterculture (and literary) immortality with his drug-soaked memoir, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Thompson developed his reporting-by-immersion approach with this book, spending a year hanging out with the California Angels, eventually getting beaten up by several of them. His account, written in an immediate and direct, first-person style, was an example of the "New Journalism" just then beginning to be practiced, and an attempt to convey, as closely as possible without being a member of the motorcycle club, the experience of being with the Hell's Angels--their lives, their cares, their values. This is the extremely scarce first British edition: we have never seen another copy offered for sale. A few neat marginal notations; very good in a moderately rubbed and edgeworn, very good dust jacket. An extremely scarce edition of an important first book, which gives a view of one of the significant but little-understood elements of the Sixties youth movements.
291. THOMPSON, Hunter S. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72. (SF): Straight Arrow (1973). Thompson's third book and the second of his "Fear & Loathing" accounts. In this, Thompson covers the Nixon/McGovern race for the Presidency, bringing to the campaign a sense of humor and horror that is simultaneously both off-the-wall and entirely appropriate to its subject. Illustrated throughout with photographs and with pen-and-ink drawings by Ralph Steadman, who also illustrated Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Very good in a very good spine-faded and edgeworn second issue dust jacket.
292. -. Another copy. This copy has a Steadman silkscreen on the front endpages and is signed by Steadman on the logo page that precedes the half title. Near fine in a near fine, second issue dust jacket with modest edge rubbing.
293. (Underground Art). The Portfolio of Underground Art. San Diego: Schanes & Schanes, 1980. A portfolio of sixteen prints by "underground artists," most of whom got their start in the Sixties. Each print is 11 1/2" x 16" and the set includes such artists as R. Crumb, Rick Griffin, Spain Rodriguez, S. Clay Wilson and others. Issued in an edition of 1200 copies, with each print numbered and signed by its artist. Fine in publisher's cardstock portfolio, with a booklet of artist biographies laid in.
294. (Underground Press). The East Village Other, Vol. 4, No. 12. (NY): (EVO), February, 28, 1969. The underground newspaper of New York's hippie community. Counterculture news; radical health column; comics; sex ads; Warner Bros.-sponsored "Pigpen look-alike contest," and more. Pages browning some; torn at the fold; about very good.
A Complete Run of Fuck You Magazine
295. (Underground Press). Fuck You. A Magazine of the Arts. (NY): Ed Sanders (1962-1965). Thirteen issues, a complete run of the most influential underground magazine of the early Sixties. Started by Ed Sanders--Beat poet, Fugs band member, and proprietor of the underground Peace Eye Bookshop--Fuck You was a deliberately provocative mimeographed journal, at first emphasizing poetry and later expanding to include other writing. Each issue is illustrated with line drawings by Sanders. Fuck You was dedicated to free expression, and especially defying the taboos around sex and drugs, advocating free sex and the use of psychedelics long before those were picked up by the more widespread countercultural movements of the late Sixties. Sanders and his collaborators served as a bridge between the Beat generation of the Fifties and the later counterculture, and helped define many of the differences between the two--the latter building on the breakthroughs initiated by the former. Contributors included Sanders, Tuli Kupferberg (also of the Fugs), Carol Bergé, John Wieners, Ray Bremser, Lenore Kandel, Charles Olson, Joel Oppenheimer, Peter Orlovsky, Philip Whalen, Allen Ginsberg, Herbert Huncke, Julian Beck, Frank O'Hara, Leroi Jones, Diane DiPrima, William Burroughs, Gary Snyder, Robert Kelly, Judith Malina, Carl Solomon, Gregory Corso, Robert Duncan, Robert Creeley, Michael McClure, Ted Berrigan, Joe Brainard, Gilbert Sorrentino, and many others--a virtual "who's who" of avant garde poetry in the Sixties. Volume 5, Number 8 had cover artwork created by Andy Warhol--a fragile photocopy that is highly sought after as an original Warhol piece. Vol. 5, No. 4 is signed by Sanders. Several issues have contents that vary from the listed contents; two issues have pages stapled upside-down. Issue No. 1 is creased, restapled, and mildly worn; the other issues are at least near fine and frequently better. An extremely fragile production, printed by mimeograph on cheap colored paper; individual issues are scarce, complete runs almost unheard of. For the set:
296. (Underground Press). GLESSING, Robert J. The Underground Press in America. Bloomington: Indiana University Press (1970). A survey of the underground press at its height in the late Sixties. Top edge foxed; else fine in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket.
297. (Underground Press). It, No. 132. London: Bloom (1972). British underground newspaper, with cover articles "Lick Dick in '72" and "Angela [Davis] for President." A couple edge tears and chips; very good in wrappers.
298. (Underground Press). Oz. (London): (Oz Publications) (various dates) [c.1968-1970]. An incomplete run of England's most prominent underground magazine. Contributors include Brautigan, R. Crumb, the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, Judith Malina, and many others. Much coverage of Hendrix, Dylan, the Stones, etc., plus record reviews, political articles, theme issues, and the ubiquitous sex ads that started appearing in the underground press in the late Sixties. Oz had a psychedelic design, mixing graphics with text the way the San Francisco Oracle did, anticipating the busy graphic designs of recent years. Nine issues, volumes 15, 19, 21, 22, 26-30. The earlier issues are very good; the later issues near fine.
299. (Underground Press). PALMER, Tony. The Trials of Oz. (Manchester): Blond Briggs (1971). Paperback original, an account of the trial of Oz magazine on obscenity charges in 1971. Rubbed and creased; very good in wrappers.
Bound Volumes of a Short-Lived Alternative Magazine
300. (Underground Press). Rags. (San Francisco): (Rosy Cheeks) (1970-1971). Two bound volumes containing thirteen issues plus the publisher's "dummy" issue and a folded insert explaining the genesis of the magazine and reprinting early reviews of it in the mainstream press. Rags was a short-lived attempt by Baron Wolman, chief photographer for Rolling Stone, and Mary Peacock to create an alternative fashion magazine, geared toward the counterculture and the rebellious youth of the middle class. Individual issues are scarce; the complete run especially so. Fine.
301. (Underground Press). The Realist. (NY): (Realist Association) (1961-1972). Fifteen out of sequence issues, ranging from No. 29 to No. 94, and spanning the entire decade. The Realist was a magazine of political satire and criticism that came to be closely associated with the counterculture. Its editor, Paul Krassner, took LSD in early 1964 and afterwards reported on various counterculture issues and figures along with his trenchant, humorous political commentary. A series of "Impolite Interviews" with major figures of the day was one of the key elements of the magazine, and Krassner's biting, sarcastic wit gave it a particularly East Coast flavor. Included in this run are "Impolite Interviews" with Timothy Leary, Norman Mailer, Dick Gregory, Terry Southern and others. Also included is the famous "Digger Papers" issue, with uncredited pieces by various Diggers and friends, including Richard Brautigan, Allen Ginsberg, Emmett Grogan, Neal Cassady, Gary Snyder and many others. Other contributors to various issues include Norman Mailer writing on LBJ, Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin writing on the Yippies' plans for the Chicago Democratic Convention of 1968, Hugh Romney on the Hog Farm. Krassner covers Lenny Bruce's arrest for obscenity in a 1963 issue. One issue is in only fair shape; three are very good; most are near fine despite acidifying paper. A good run of one of the key periodicals of the era.
302. (Underground Press). KRASSNER, Paul, ed. Best of the Realist. Philadelphia: Running Press (1984). Introduction by Ken Kesey, and anthologizing work by Kurt Vonnegut, Woody Allen, Joseph Heller, Lenny Bruce, Abbie Hoffman, Richard Pryor, Timothy Leary, Neil Postman and many others. Only issued in wrappers. Near fine.
303. (Underground Press). The Resistance. (Boston): (New England Resistance), June 1, 1968. The Commencement Edition. A newsletter devoted to draft resistance at the height of the protest against the Vietnam war. Mild darkening; still fine.
304. (Underground Press). Rights, Vol. 17,. Nos. 1 and 2. (NY): (National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee), March and June, 1970. Two issues, heavy on antiwar commentary. David Levine caricatures of Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon, respectively, on the covers. Slight edge-darkening; still fine.
305. (Underground Press). Rolling Stone, No. 70. (n.p.): (Straight Arrow) (1970). With a Grace Slick cover article and coverage of Marshall McLuhan, Owsley, the escaped Timothy Leary (including an open letter from Ken Kesey to Leary), and a eulogy for Janis Joplin. Mailing label; near fine.
306. (Underground Press). The San Francisco Oracle, Vol. 1, No. 6. (San Francisco): (Oracle) [February, 1967]. A theme issue, with the theme being The Aquarian Age. The first issue after the Human Be-In in Golden Gate Park in January, 1967, with a centerfold photo-collage of the Be-In. Alan Watts; Paul Krassner; Tom Weir photo; Rick Griffin Grateful Dead illustration; more. Folded. Near fine.
307. (Underground Press). The San Francisco Oracle, Vol. 1, No. 7. (San Francisco): (Oracle) [April, 1967]. Features the "Houseboat Summit Meeting" between Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, Gary Snyder and Tim Leary. Rick Griffin art (the oft-reproduced image of "Mescalito"); ads for the Grateful Dead's first album; Kenneth Anger's Lucifer Rising; Big Brother and the Holding Company; more. Folded, with a small tear at the fold; about near fine.
Facsimile Edition with Signed Rick Griffin Print
308. (Underground Press). The San Francisco Oracle Facsimile Edition. Berkeley: Regent, 1991. Folio volume reproducing in facsimile all the issues of the original San Francisco Oracle--the prototype of the psychedelic underground newspapers of the counterculture. Numerous illustrations by Rick Griffin and other artists, as well as written pieces by Ginsberg, McClure, Ferlinghetti, Lew Welch, Timothy Leary, William Burroughs, Ken Kesey and many others. Lavish multi-colored production in the manner of the original but on better paper. Printed in two editions, this is the Collector's Edition, one of 200 numbered copies signed by Allen Cohen, founder and editor of the paper, and with an extra print bound in signed by Rick Griffin. This edition comes with a portfolio of prints reproducing all the original covers. Fine in slipcase.
309. (Underground Press). St. Louis Free Press, Vol. 2, No. 2. (St. Louis): (SLFP), April 11, 1969. Eight pages, newsprint. St. Louis's underground newspaper, with a heavy emphasis on political protest against corporate capitalism and the Vietnam war. Fine.
310. (Underground Press). St. Louis Free Press, Vol. II, No. 2. (St. Louis): (SLFP), October 10, 1969. Another issue, same format. Fine.
311. (Underground Press). St. Louis Outlaw, Vol. 1, No. 1. (St. Louis): (KDNA), April 24, 1970. A new St. Louis underground paper, still oriented toward political protest but with more of a cultural orientation than the Free Press--e.g., an article about St; Louis's "street band," The Rush, and their problems with the law, and an article entitled "Not People's Park: People's Planet." Near fine.
312. (Underground Press). Stony Hills, No. 10. (New Sharon): Stony Hills, 1981. An issue devoted to the Beats, with articles by Ann Charters on Ginsberg, Gerald Nicosia on Kerouac, and others. Mild darkening; else fine.
313. (Underground Press). Us. (NY): Bantam Books (1969). The Back to School issue of this "paperback magazine." Includes Nikki Giovanni "On Being Asked What It's Like to Be Black," Katherine Dunn, poetry by Tom Clark, comix by Victor Moscoso, pieces on Dylan and Pynchon, etc. Very good in wrappers.