If We Take
by Bukowski, Charles
- Used
- Paperback
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine in Wraps.
- Seller
-
Portland, Maine, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
An extraordinary and warm inscription in the first of many Black Sparrow greetings Bukowski would do for the press. Norse, perennial literary scenester and author of the classic cut-up novel Beat Hotel, was a frequent Bukowski correspondent beginning in the mid 1960's, and it was Norse who recommended Bukowski to Penguin Press for their Modern Poets series (he and Norse appeared together in the thirteenth installment) -- then Bukowski's highest-profile appearance to date. But the two didn't meet in person until January of 1969, a little less than a year before this inscription. Norse recalls the experience in his book MEMOIRS OF A BASTARD ANGEL: "I knew that a wild Falstaffian ruffian had come to shake things up with more fiction than fact, more fantasy than truth [...] Bukowski was misshapen [...] He looked [...] down and out" (p. 420). And indeed, the poet was down and out: frustrated at his job for the Post Office and desperate to find a way to support himself from his writing alone. He would soon find that opportunity later the same year when Black Sparrow publisher John Martin famously offered Bukowski a guaranteed $100 a month for life if he wrote for the press full time. According to Martin, their agreement went into effect January 2nd, 1970 - just six days after this inscription and only a few weeks before Bukowski completed his first novel, Post Office. Norse and Bukowski remained life-long -- if contentious -- friends and correspondents (a collection of their letter has been slated, but delayed, for publication since 2002). Quite simply, one of the closest and warmest Bukowski associations we've seen, capturing the poet at a pivotal moment in his career. [Krumhansl 31]. [Morrow and Cooney 74]. Minor edge/shelf wear, inscribed/illustrated by Bukowski, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Pale blue paper wraps, color ink lettering and decorative elements. 12mo. np [8 blank leaves]. Inscribed by Bukowski at ffep, sketch at verso of front wrap.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Lux Mentis, Booksellers (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 7262
- Title
- If We Take
- Author
- Bukowski, Charles
- Format/Binding
- Original Wraps
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine in Wraps.
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Binding
- Paperback
- Publisher
- Black Sparrow Press
- Place of Publication
- [Los Angeles]
- Date Published
- 1970
Terms of Sale
Lux Mentis, Booksellers
U.S. postage is $6.50 for the 1st title/volume and $2.00 for each additional title/volume and are sent Media Mail, Insured (except for sets and oversized items, which are calculated on a per order basis). Express mail, overseas rates and special handling are available on request. Payment is expected in advance by all but institutional buyers unless arrangements are made in advance. All orders are shipped via the United States Post Office or FedEx unless otherwise requested. Maine residents must add 5.5% sales tax unless a resale or tax exemption certificate is sent. Items are returnable within 10 days if not as described for full refund. Any other return is handled on a case by case basis, our goal being the complete satisfaction of all parties involved. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us at http://www.luxmentis.com.
About the Seller
Lux Mentis, Booksellers
About Lux Mentis, Booksellers
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- FFEP
- A common abbreviation for Front Free End Paper. Generally, it is the first page of a book and is part of a single sheet that...
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...
- 12mo
- A duodecimo is a book approximately 7 by 4.5 inches in size, or similar in size to a contemporary mass market paperback. Also...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.