Various (Malone, Marvin (Editor); Bukowski, Charles; Jones, Billy; Locklin, Gerald et al.)

Wormwood Review Vol. 35 No. 2 (No. 138, 1995)

Stockton, CA, USA: The Wormwood Review, 1995. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. Inscribed & signed by Billy Jones. "flailing away at infinity/ the tiny winged night bug/ on its back/ under the desk lamp/ kicks and struggles with/ thread legs/ under the heat of the/ light/ as in the corner of the/ room/ my fat yellow cat/ lifts his left leg/ high/ and licks his precious/ parts/ as in the harbor now/ a boat suddenly loosens/ a horn sound" (Charles Bukowski, "Snapshot (1985)," first stanza, pg. 93) This later number of the legendary literary journal edited by the late Marvin Malone features three poems by Charles Bukowski (1920-1994), the great American cult favorite poet-denizen of the dive bar & the racetrack, including "Interview (1983)," "Snapshot (1985)" (quoted above) & "The Fool Dines Out (1990)." Pgs. 92-95. Debritto, B1814, pg. 415. Also in this issue are contributions of poetry by Gerald Locklin (1941-2021), the noted poet & former editor of Chiron Review who was Bukowski's close friend & colleague (pgs. 87-89); a special section of poems by the Australian-American poet Billy Jones (1935-2012) under the heading of "Time Is The Biggest Trick Of All" (pgs. 63-82); & much more. Chapbook-format journal in stapled wrappers, one of an edition of 700 copies, "...the first 70 being signed by Billy Jones" per colophon, this is copy No. 17/700. On page 63, at upper margin of the first page of his special section, Jones has hand-numbered, signed & written in bold black ink: "#17/70 (signed) Billy Jones (coil drawing)/ (well John what do you/ think...)?". We wonder who "John" is...Jones also provided the artwork of a sunflower reproduced on front cover. Another rich & especially scarce issue in this most-collectible series, of particular importance to the Bukowski & Jones devotee. In very fine condition with only a touch of rubbing, faint scratching & occasional spotting, short streaking to front, back covers & stapled spine; a bit of wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at/from edges & corners of same; staples in process of rusting with minimal exterior & interior bleeding. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of some page leaves; minor staple rust-bleeding at middle as noted above. Very Fine. [Item #7170]

Price: $60.00