Crumb, Robert

Zap Comix No. 0

San Francisco, CA: Apex Novelties/The Print Mint, 1969. Fourth Printing. Stapled Wrappers. Originally drawn & written by Robert Crumb in October 1967 before all the other numbers in the iconic Zap series, Zap Comix No. 0 was lost, (photocopies) recovered, re-touched & first published in late 1968 between Zap Comix numbers 2 & 3. With revolutionary content including "Mr. Natural in Death Valley" & "City of the Future" that have a continuing impact on art & culture. We have concluded that this is a fourth printing from mid-late 1969, based on the near-Talmudic level of information available in the various grading & pricing guides, essays & commentary that have appeared & expanded over decades. The very first printing features a hairline inside the "Z" on front cover; pagination & yellow between some red letters on back cover; none present here. the 35-cent cover price; mostly but not yet completely retouched, still slightly damaged thick black outline of the umbilically plugged-in front cover character's spine (which is damaged beginning with the third printing & partially retouched, as here, in the fourth printing) & comparison against images of other fourth printings leads to our conclusion. A historic collectible in the underground comix canon, in its fourth rarest form, still very rare & close to the original printing. In near-fine condition, approximately the equivalent of a 5.0 grade per Fogel's, CGC, etc.: Front cover with only mild rubbing & creasing along surface, more pronounced horizontal creasing & wear along spine; moderate rubbing, soiling & creasing to back cover esp. white background; very light chipping, creasing & bumping along edges & corners of covers. Interior fine/very fine except for browning of just-above-newspaper quality paper esp. margins & edges (slightly effecting inner front & back covers), but pages not brittle & with barely any acidic scent. Upper of two staples just beginning to bleed rust at interior centerfold. Near Fine. [Item #2204]

Price: $50.00