Notes of a Dirty Old Man by Charles Bukowski, First Edition, Signed (5 results)

Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. The Essex House edition of Bukowski's classic Notes of a Dirty Old Man was published in 1969, five years earlier than the City Lights version, making it the true first edition. Bukowski signed this copy on the title page below his name. Essex House was short-lived (1968-1969) publishing imprint based in Los Angeles that specialized in highbrow erotica. A subsidiary of Milton Luros's Parliament News, it was one of the best of many new publishing houses that sprang up after the U.S. Supreme Court finally permitted open publishing of adult fiction. Edited by Brian Kirby, many Essex House novelists were young serious writers (several of them poets) who used scenarios drawn from science fiction and fantasy as the basis for their stories. Although Essex House published mass market editions, whatever didn't sell was destroyed to make room on the shelf for new books, leaving very few of Essex House Notes of a Dirty Old Man copies on the market today. This copy is in Near Fine + condition and is unread. The covers are very white and bright, unlike most copies you'll find for sale. There is very light wear to the covers, with a very light crease to the bottom right of the front cover, and a bit of wear to the top right. The dark blue bar on the back cover shows light edgewear and the spine has a very small bump on the bottom. Signed or not signed, this is the finest copy I've handled to date. Case 8. Signed by Author(s).

Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Good. First Edition. The book is inscribed on first page to James ('Jimmy') Pitts, an important friend of Bukowski's in this era: 'To Jimmy Pitts - my friend down to the last photo finish. Charles Bukowski 8-19-70.' A good copy of this Bukowski classic with a priceless inscription (spine creased, wear and some spotting to spine and covers. Fellow writer Jimmy Pitts was an important early correspondent of Bukowski's. Bukowski's letters to Pitts, long missing, have recently resurfaced, and provide important new light on Bukowski's low and high points at the moment where his writing career and life went from struggle to success. His association with Pitts was significant. 255 pages. First publication of excerpts from Buk's weekly columns in 'Open City', 1964-69. Krumhansl #29a (with the indicated misprints on pages 208 and 221, uncorrected). Rubberstamp on lower edges is dated March 17, 1969 (book was published January 24, 1969); previous owner's date is 'April 1969'.

Paperback. First Edition. First edition. Signed by Charles Bukowski on first page with an inscription in the year of publication, "2-4-69 stories and rantings by this Charles Bukowski." 255 pp. Bound in publisher's wraps. Light shelf wear, else Fine and unread. Clean, bright pages. The first collection of Bukowski's columns for L.A. underground newspaper Open City, very uncommon signed.

North Hollywood, Calif.: Essex House, (1969). 255pp. 6¾ x 4¼ inches. Paperback Original. Minor rubbing; near fine. In a custom archival enclosure. First edition and inscribed by Bukowski in the year of publication to his close friend and early publisher: "For Douglas Blazek Beer stories for your insomnia nights. In memory too of the Bensenville days when we found each other. Sure, Charles Bukowski 2-24-69." Bensenville, Illinois is where Blazek's Mimeo Press was located. With two original drawings by Bukowski, one inside the front cover, signed Buk and dated 1969, and the other drawn around his inscription to Blazek, showing a man (perhaps Bukowski) giving the middle finger. Blazek was an "ardent follower and tirelessly championed Bukowski's work, publishing him in all Olé issues. the mimeograph magazine where most emerging editors from that period read Bukowski's poetry and prose for the first time. He was also instrumental in persuading Bukowski to produce fiction in larger quantities." (Debritto, Charles Bukowski, King of the Underground).

Broadside. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. SUPERB PRESENTATION COPY of this extremely rare Bukowski broadside, one of the more (intentionally) provocative of his early career, advertising a reading at the University of New Mexico. WITH A GREAT INSCRIPTION: 'For James Pitts Jimmy - this is the Jon Webb poster which created the consternation at U.N.M. Later the English Dept. wrote me in L.A. about it, I defended Webb. Sure, Charles Bukowski 9-2-70.' This was printed by Jon and Gypsy Lou Webb at the Loujon Press in New Orleans. Printed letterpress on 9 x 13 inch textured stock, with type in purple ink and two-tone halftone potrait of Bukowski. A very good copy, folded twice for mailing, with some wear to edges and minor stains. Fellow writer Jimmy Pitts was an important early correspondent of Bukowski's. Bukowski's letters to Pitts, long missing, have recently resurfaced, and provide important new light on Bukowski's low and high points at the moment where his writing career and life went from struggle to success. His association with Pitts was significant.