Various ("Hassan I. Sabbah"; Butler, Bill et al.)

Leaves of Grass: A Compendium of Marijuana

Brighton, England: Unicorn Bookshop, 1971. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. “LEAVES OF GRASS. Being an / informative guide to fabled / Indica. / I. ARGUMENT. / There is no reason why you / should not use Marijuana. / Equally, there is no reason / why you should. Though it is / illegal in most areas it is / obvious that the law is unable / to control its use. Leaving / the question squarely up to / the individual, where it be– / longs. / Laws which protect and indivi– / idual from his own actions are / at best Paternalistic and at / worst tyranny. The Marijuana / Statutes in force in various / parts of the world illustrate / this beautifully…”--Hassan I. Sabbah, a/k/a, Bill Butler, pg. 3. A collection of poems and other writings by Bill Butler (1934-1977), the legendary American-expatriate poet, publisher & bookseller. Butler founded the Unicorn Bookshop in Brighton, England, which from the late 1960s through the early 1970s proffered & published many outstanding productions by William S. Burroughs, J.G. Ballard et al. (& not least himself as here), some of which have become the scarcest, all-but-unobtainable Beat-&-Beyond collectibles (see for example our item No.s 8217, 8366). After prevailing against censorious harassment efforts, Unicorn closed & Butler died in short order. A satirical, tongue-in-cheek cult classic, Leaves of Grass: A Compendium of Marijuana is a 1971 guide to cannabis culture, as told through poems, illustrations, allusions to Dante, and instruction on growing, smoking, and being high on said drug. Taking its name from the famous Walt Whitman (1819-1892) poem, Leaves of Grass, Butler’s work is irreverent and clearly-–to borrow a phrase from the Brits—is taking the piss out of the old, legendary poet. Under the pseudonym Hassan I. Sabbah (presumably named after the Iranian leader & scholar), Butler published this now legendary piece on all things dope. Written with Butler’s iconic humorous-yet-straightforward style, and his penchant for dry, satirical wit, Leaves of Grass: A Compendium of Marijauna is as surprisingly informative as it is hilarious. From the collection of Richard Cupidi (b. 1945), our esteemed friend who managed Unicorn with Butler. After Butler's passing, Cupidi founded the Public House bookshop in Brighton, which had a long & successful run but is also now closed, & he still resides there. We have been privileged to obtain what Cupidi has termed "The Last Hurrah," all the remaining collectibles of Unicorn & Public House, including this Butler-penned treasure. Third Mind Books, as with this gem, is in the process of reverently curating & incrementally presenting the Butler-Cupidi-Unicorn-Public House Legacy that is in our custodial hands- until it passes to yours. A very scarce & quintessential Butler collectible in its singularly rarest contemporary trade form, from his own historic imprint & with the highest, most relevant association & provenance. Stapled wrappers. First & presumably only printing. In relatively fine-very fine condition with moderate wear to fine edges, mild smudging/scratching/staining to front and back covers, heavy discoloration due to age-toning to exterior & throughout interior, and slight rusting at staples. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #9084]

Price: $175.00