Huffstickler, Albert

Alienation or The Billy the Kid Syndrome

Austin, TX: Albert Huffstickler, 1998. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Inscribed, signed & dated by Albert Huffstickler. "Billy the kid was a mean son-of-a-bitch without a doubt" (Opening Alienation or The Billy the Kid Syndrome pg. 13). Born in Laredo, Texas in 1927, the prolific-&-underappreciated Albert Huffstickler (1927-2002) published hundreds of poems in his long literary life. After graduating high school, Huffstickler attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he fell in love with poetry. He flirted with Scientology in its formative years but sloughed it off for Jungian psychology, which he felt spoke to core necessities the scientologists attempt to address but fail in doing so. Huffstickler published prolifically all throughout the 1960s, and got the best bang for his buck by doing what many mid-century American writers did, publish erotica under a pseudonym, the literary equivalent of sex trafficking. Huffstickler made a home base in Austin, where he was known as the "Bard of Hyde Park" and taught poetry seminars, inspiring other well-known Austin poets including [Friend of TMB] W. Joe Hoppe. For those interested in Huffstickler, we also suggest Matthew Listiak’s film, “Holy Secrets,” which highlights Huffstickler's personality and poetry and includes images of his art. Huffstickler died of an aneurysm on the 25th of February, 2002, but his work lives on in chapbooks such as these, and TMB salutes the spirit he embodied. Please also see Item No.s 7996, 8723, 8725, 8729 & 8731 for more Huffstickler writings. At copyright page (verso front cover), Huffstickler has hand written an inscription, his signature & the date in charcoal black ink: "Annie from Huff | Feb. 28, 1998 | (signed) Albert Huffstickler." Softcover in Stapled Wrappers: First Edition & presumed first printing though neither explicated as such at copyright page. A most collectible book of poetry in its rarest contemporary form greatly enhanced by Huffstickler's signature, inscription & date. In relatively very fine condition with mild age-toning mostly to blank margins & fine edges of front & back covers; mild-age-toning & rubbing to text block. Interior very fine with very mild bumping of corners to some page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #8727]

Price: $45.00