[Literature] Bukowski, Charles. Publisher's Mock-Up of "it catches my heart in its hands"

(New Orleans: Loujon Press, 1963). Publisher's mock-up. 8vo. Signed in silver ink by Bukowski on front free endpaper: "Charles / Bukowski / 8-3-63". With typed paper slip laid in at front: "The cork paper on the jacket was handmade in Spain, & the skeleton in photo on the cover was sculped in sand on the beach at Biloxi, Mississippi, by the photographer, Henry L. Chevrier", with ink corrections on same, and ink manuscript in top corner, "Insert", presumably all in Bukowski's or publisher's hand. Number "1" drawn on eighth colored paper sheet, presumably by Bukowski or the publisher; verso with ink manuscript, "Holograph of 'Tragedy of the Leaves'", presumably in the hand of Bukowski or the publisher. With letterpress text on pp. 15-41 only, remaining 22 leaves blank. Publisher's trial binding, handbound in stiff white wrappers, with Chevrier's printed black and white skeleton photograph pasted in two pieces around same; leaves printed in various colors, matching those used in final production; text block loose from wrappers; remnants of a mounted leaf at top of p. 15.

A very rare publisher's mock-up of this early Charles Bukowski publication. This was Bukowski's first work with Jon and Gypsy Lou Webb at their Loujon Press, and it is one of Bukowski's most impressively designed publications.

This copy shows the work in an early trial stage, with Henry L. Chevrier's skeleton photograph and appearing as the main wrapper, printed in two sheets and mounted onto heavy card. The interior features the same multi-colored and plain sheets that appear in the final publication, but is printed with letterpress text on pp. 15-41 only. The remaining sheets that would have included the title-page, introduction, poems (pp. 42-96), contents leaf, errata, and colophon, are not printed. Notably this copy features three notations relating to the printing: a laid in typed card regarding Chevrier's photograph, and a description of the cork dust-jacket found in the finished book; an inscription showing where to print the holographic poem and doodle for Bukowski's "The Tragedy of the Leaves", opposite p. 15; a drawn number "1" on the first chapter leaf; all likely done by Bukowski or the publisher.

Together with:

Bukowski, Charles
it catches my heart in its hands: new & selected poems 1955-1963
(New Orleans: Loujon Press, 1963). First and limited edition, one of 777 unnumbered copies. 8vo. (iv), 97, (7) pp. Gypsy Lou series No. 1: a Loujon Press Award Book. Inscribed by Bukowski in silver ink on front free endpaper: "Close the door when you piss and I will tell you tales with golden teeth, fables with voices like old Caruso Charles Bukowski 2-9-64", with a small drawing of a flower by Bukowski. Additionally inscribed by Bukowski with a rare quote in silver ink opposite colophon: "If I had written as well as I had drank I would have been a better writer but the same old sot. Charles Bukowski 3/31/63". Original hand-bound stiff printed wrappers; in original stiff printed dust-jacket with cork-lined front panel, with photographic flap on rear wrapper; text leaves printed in letterpress on variously colored and sized paper stocks. Krumhansl 12

Copies with two lengthy inscriptions at front and rear are uncommon. Typically they are found with only Bukowski's signature and date at front.

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Darren Winston

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Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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[Literature] Bukowski, Charles. Publisher's Mock-Up of "it catches my heart in its hands"

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[Literature] Bukowski, Charles. Publisher's Mock-Up of "it catches my heart in its hands"

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