Hot Water Music

Santa Barbara: Black Sparrow Press, 1983. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine/near fine. One of 400 signed/numbered copies, octavo size, 225 pp., signed by Bukowski, with poster 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.

This volume, "Hot Water Music" is a collection of short stories which "deal largely with drinking, women, gambling, and writing. It is an important collection that establishes Bukowski's minimalist style and his thematic oeuvre" (n.b., quote from Wiki).

___DESCRIPTION: Aubergine cloth shelfback, paper spine label with black lettering, ivory paper over boards with multi-coloured lettering over coloured bars and the author's name in black lettering on the front, coloured rules on the rear board, cherry red endpapers, title page in red, blue and yellow, this number 63 of 400 signed copies (total hardcover edition 1276); octavo size (9.25" by 6.25"), pagination: [1-10] 11-221 [1, blank] [1, colophon, signed by Bukowski in black ink] [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 poster prospectus, a single sheet folded twice for mailing, in pink, purple, blue and black.

___CONDITION: Fine overall, the boards clean other than a light, stray speck, 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; some light foxing on the edges of the text block; still overall a fine, bright copy. The publisher's acetate dust wrapper near fine with light overall marks and a bit of wear. Prospectus fine, clean and utterly without edgewear or foxing.

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