Between the Covers

Hardcover. Eighth printing. Illustrated by R. Crumb. Quarto. Quarter cloth and illustrated papercovered boards. Boards slightly bumped, else near fine in very good original unprinted acetate dustwrapper. Inscribed by Bukowski to poet Charles Plymell: "To Charles Plymell. May the gods be good to you. Charles Bukowski," along with his characteristic self-portrait with a jug. Also Inscribed by Robert Crumb: "to Charlie Plymell from R. Crumb, Who Is Now, Spring of '93, A Cake-Eater Living in the South of France... Who'd A' Thought...?"

Laid into the book is a later, densely written Autograph Postcard Initialed by Crumb ("R.C.") to Plymell. The postcard acknowledges receipt of a parcel (not present) from Plymell containing a copy of his book "Eat Not Thy Mind" (also not present), and an interview with the co-publisher of the book, Thurston Moore. Crumb expresses his hopes that Plymell is "...sending a 'courier girl' to give me a copy of your Last of Moccasins collage novel" and expounding on the possibilities: "Maybe she'll be a wild, young, adventurous Bohemian with a shapely ass who will let me maul her because I'm a famous, 'hip' artist/cartoonist... ." He also comments in some detail about the overwhelming amount of female pulchritude viewable in New York City compared to the otherwise bucolic French countryside.

An interesting and important association. In San Francisco in 1968, Plymell published *Zap Comix* #1 which featured the work of Crumb and in many ways could be considered Crumb's breakthrough publication.

Item #399036