Bukowski, Charles. Post Office. Black Sparrow Press, Los Angeles, 1971.

Price: US$5800.00 + shipping

Condition: Near Fine

Description: First edition, limited edition. Copy 190 of 250 numbered hardcover copies, signed by Charles Bukowski; with publisher's small complimentary slip laid in. Near Fine with fading to spine, slight browning to top and bottom edges of covers, spotting to top edge and offsetting to free endsheets, in a original acetate jacket, lightly worn. Bukowski's first published novel and perhaps his best known work.

Seller: Burnside Rare Books, ABAA, Portland, OR, U.S.A.

Bukowski, Charles. Post Office. Black Sparrow Press, 1971.

Price: US$8500.00 + shipping

Condition: Near Fine

Description: Copy #16 of 250 numbered hardcover copies signed by Charles Bukowski. This copy has great provenance - being Bill Katz's copy, with facsimiles of two pre-publication letters from publisher John Martin to Katz (from December 1970 and January 1971), discussing Katz's prior pivotal review of 'The Days Run Away.' in Library Journal, which Martin credited for making the sale of the book, and discussing sending proofs of 'Post Office' to Katz, hoping for another Library Journal review. Katz in fact did write the review, the results of which Bukowski credited with helping him to become a full-time writer. This copy also includes the original Black Sparrow review slip, with Black Sparrow's note in pencil 'First novel - Bill Katz / dup. on shelf.' Also includes a facsimile of a carbon copy of Katz's letter to Bukowski presenting his personal view of 'Post Office' (as oposed to the review). A very near to fine copy of this important work, in the original red white and blue cloth over blue printed boards, paper spine label (slight fading to spine; slight wear to edges of boards, original clear plastic jacket has slight wear to edges). Some long-lost correspondence has recently come to light providing Bukowski's views on the importance of Katz's efforts on his behalf. Krumhansl 38b (hardcover issue).

Seller: Arundel Books, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.

BUKOWSKI, Charles.. Post Office. A Novel.. Los Angeles: Black Sparrow Press, 1971, 1971.

Price: US$9006.53 + shipping

Description: First edition, signed limited issue, number 12 of 250 copies in boards signed and numbered by the author, this a presentation copy to the printer, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Phil Klein - well, hell, friend -- here's another. Charles Bukowski, 3-5-71". This is an excellent association. The Black Sparrow Press was founded primarily in order to print Bukowski's work, and this title was Bukowski's first novel, an autobiographical memoir of his time working at the United States Postal Service. The press was founded by John and Barbara Martin in 1966, and Phil Klein was their first printer. He worked in the print shop at the same company as John Martin, and printed Bukowski's first seven broadsides at cost because "it was a 'fun' project for him" (J. Martin, quoted in Debritto, p. 134). Bukowski wrote "here's another" in his inscription to Klein since he had printed Bukowski's first Black Sparrow publication, the poetry collection The Days Run Away Like Wild Horses Over the Hills, in 1969. There were a further 2,000 copies issued in wrappers, and 50 hand-bound in boards with an original illustration by Bukowski. Morrow & Cooney 99. Abel Debritto, Charles Bukowski, King of the Underground, 2013. Large octavo. Original red, blue, and white star-patterned cloth-backed pictorial pale blue boards, pale blue title label on spine, front cover lettered in red and blue, red endpapers. Title page printed in red, blue, and black, monochrome photographic portrait of the author on the final page. Extremities a little sunned, free endpapers darkened, slight offsetting to verso of front free endpaper. A very good copy indeed.

Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom

Bukowski, Charles. Post Office. Black Sparrow Press, Santa Barbara, 1971.

Price: US$13500.00 + shipping

Condition: Fine

Description: One of 50 signed/numbered hardcover copies with original artwork, large octavo size, 119 pp., with prospectus. Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was "a prolific underground writer who used his poetry and prose to depict the depravity of urban life and the downtrodden in American society. A cult hero, Bukowski relied on experience, emotion, and imagination in his work, using direct language and violent and sexual imagery" (n.b., from the web site of the Poetry Foundation). As much as he achieved popular acclaim during his lifetime, his reputation and following have only increased after his death. In addition to being an author, Bukowski also was an artist: he painted on 6" by 9" paper "with thick layers of acrylics, oil paint, watercolors, pastels, crayons, pens - whatever was at hand. They were sent to Black Sparrow [whose editor, John Martin, was a friend of Bukowski's] where they were bound into special hardcover first editions of his books" (n.b., from the web site of Bukowski [dot] net). This volume, "Post Office" is Bukowski's first novel, the autobiographical account of his own years working at a post office, wherein he introduces Henry Chinaski, his "anti-hero". A comment on the prospectus which accompanies the book, written by reviewer Guy Williams, says it best: " 'Post Office' is a work of overwhelming power. The combination of pity and terror is the classic definition of Tragedy. No other poet has ever moved me in quite the same way." This volume is numbered copy 33 of the 50 numbered hardcover copies with original artwork, this in shades mostly of pinks and greens, with what could be a man struggling towards the sun. ___DESCRIPTION: Quarter bound in cloth decorated to resemble parts of the American flag, grey paper spine label with blue lettering, paper over boards, the front with decoration and red lettering, red endpapers, the Bukowski drawing serving as frontis, Bukowski's signature at the colophon; large octavo size (9.5" by 6.25"), pagination: [1-8] 9-115 [1, blank] [1, colophon, signed by Bukowski] [1, blank] [1, black and white photograph of Bukowski with bio]. In a dust wrapper of clear acetate from the publisher, loosely laid in is the prospectus, a single sheet of blue paper folded once, red and blue lettering, review blurbs and purchase details on the inside, measuring 6 7/8" by 5 3/8" when open. ___CONDITION: Fine overall, the boards clean other than a few light, stray marks, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; a hint of sunning to the top edge of the boards; overall a fine, bright copy. The publisher's acetate dust wrapper near fine with light overall marks, the prospectus fine, clean and without wear, with only the original fold. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

Seller: Swan's Fine Books, ABAA, ILAB, IOBA, Walnut Creek, CA, U.S.A.