A Fine Man, A Fine Book

Palm Book. 24 pp, unpaginated. 3.25" x 2.75" A TRUE BUKOWSKI RARITY "It began as a mistake," which led to unrest, which resulted in a unique, if not revolutionary book. Many books are often small for the sake of being small, but this is a truly subversive piece--a "palm book." Palm books rose to popularity during the early years of the Labor Movement as a way to pass along information out of sight of authoritative bosses. And in true Bukowskian fashion, Felicia Rice printed this book "to give out to all my fellow carriers as I was leaving the post office where I'd been working for six months. The post master was celebrated for his irrational and cruel abuse of authority." Controversy has surrounded this book for decades regarding the potential knowledge of Bukowski and Black Sparrow Press of this piece, since it was privately printed without permission, using excerpts from Bukowski's Post Office. In personal correspondence with printer Felicia Rice, it came to light that Bukowski "had nothing to do with the making" and Black Sparrow forced Rice's hand to release a second printing with proper attribution. What makes this piece truly a one of a kind is that it made its way to Bukowski himself, who added his signature and a double doodle. It doesn't get any more Bukowski than this! Limited to only 40 signed/numbered copies, of which this is 21. Signed on the colophon by printer Felicia Rice. Additionally signed with doodle by Bukowski on the title page. Hand sewn with white thread and wrapped in blue and black mottled paper, paper title label. Printed in black on handmade white German Hayle paper, offcuts from Wm. Everson?s ?fine book? ?Granite & Cypress? by Robinson Jeffers.…