Pulp

Santa Rosa, Ca: Black Sparrow Press, 1994. First Edition. Octavo. Limited to only 16 presentation copies, published a month after Bukowski's passing. It has Bukowski's signed print bound in, the following page is signed by Bukowski and with 3 drawings included. In addition, there is a remarkable presentation before the title page dated 5/9/94 from John Martin, the publisher of Black Sparrow Press, who began the press to publish Bukowski (Barbara Martin designed the books). It is inscribed to Lee [Hendrix] Rolland, wife of Peter Pott (Real name Richard Roland, owners of Either/Or Bookshop in Hermosa Beach where Bukowski and Pynchon were frequent friends who hung around to enjoy the ambiance. The inscription from John Martin reads: "For Lee--a beautiful Black Sparrow supporter for many years with thanks, John Martin, 5/9/1994". The story: A detective, Nick Belane has a client known as Lady Death who wants him to find Celine who had died decades earlier. On the other hand, she was paying his fee of $6.00 an hour and believes Celine is collecting Faulkner first editions. There is also a character known as John Barton of the Red Sparrow [joking, of course, about John Martin and the Black Sparrow Press]. Laid in is a card noting this was his personal gift and to be sent to Lee of Either/Or. A fascinating novel of a detective on his last legs, booksellers and publishers and characters in the twisted world of Southern California's darker side. Bound in 1/4 black cloth decorated in tan and brown over red paper covered boards with a handgun, lettered and decorated in red, light blue black and white, red paper spine label lettered in black, colophon hand written in red ink "Presentation". A fine copy in the original acetate dust jacket. (Krumhansel, 139 e).