Bukowski Sampler -- variants?

[hank solo]

Here's an updated link that lists the contents of the Sampler:
- http://bukowski.net/database/displayContents.php?book=2

You can click each title to check where else it may appear.

 

[BUK72]

Thanks for the link, hank solo. After checking each piece, it appears that there are no selections that are exclusive to Sampler. Having said that, there are a half dozen or so, that aren't collected in easy to find BSP books. So until I find copies such as Terror Way, Crucifix, Poems... Jumping 8 Story Window, I will not have access to these poems.
Ah, the dilemma I'm in. I really do like the look and feel of Sampler. I guess the question now is whether I'd be better off putting the money towards a copy of Crucifix, which I have been on the hunt for -I want at least one semi-collectible Buk item, preferably a signed copy- or invest in this really cool chapbook. I should probably pass on Sampler, but after holding it in my hands yesterday, I'm afraid the collector in me will win out over the pragmatist.

 

[hank solo]

I have a battered later print of the Sampler, that cost no more than $10. In an ideal world, I'd have a fine 1st. But even though the price sounds fair, I think I'd be more inclined to put that sum towards a more desirable title.

 

[LickTheStar]

I had a first edition that I traded away for a cornucopia of goodness... I occasionally regret it, but I have scans of most of what is hard to come by (or copies in other volumes) so I think it was a good choice.

 

[Purple Stickpin]

Although $125 seems a fair price (for the orange wraps in VG+-fine), I would recommend saving a bit more and getting Crucifix. You can likely get a VG copy on ebay for no more than $200. Sampler is a reasonably well-made chap, but it's just a chap. Crucifix is a work of art (and it's signed).

Then again, as long as the rent is paid and there's beer in the fridge...

 

[BUK72]

I just paid the rent and there's always beer in the fridge, so, what the hell. If I do decide to get it, I could always turn around and sell it and possibly recoup my investment.
The bookstore also had some other interesting Buk material, such as:

NYG - BSP -The Last Generation -1982 - $125
NYG - BSP - One for the Old Boy- 1984 - signed to Al Purdy - $150
Northwest Review #2 - periodical - contains the poem "Breakthrough" that according to the database isn't available elsewhere. $7.

I am definitely going to pick up the NW Review mag, but I'm still on fence about the Sampler.

 

[Purple Stickpin]

I just paid the rent and there's always beer in the fridge...

Then everything else is gravy (assuming you don't have children).

I could always turn around and sell it and possibly recoup my investment.

Possibly being the key word there. In this economy, Buk is an investment with possible reward. It may take a couple of years for the book market to rebound. And, depending on Kindle (the fucking stupid shit for self-gratifying idiots who can't deal with reality), it may take 10 years or more for books to become the retro thing they never should have become.

NYG - BSP -The Last Generation -1982 - $125
NYG - BSP - One for the Old Boy- 1984 - signed to Al Purdy - $150
Northwest Review #2 - periodical - contains the poem "Breakthrough" that according to the database isn't available elsewhere. $7.

I am definitely going to pick up the NW Review mag, but I'm still on fence about the Sampler.

The '82 NYG was $125 before this meltdown. Haggle for $100 if you want it. As for the '84, I'd love to have one signed for Al Purdy, so $150 is high, but not outrageous considering that there isn't another one. If you want to sell 10-20 years from now, those unique ones might command a premium.

 

[mjp]

I might put the sampler on the back burner and go for the signed NYG. But I'll always go for something signed given the choice. Though as Purple says, $150 is on the high side for that (assuming it's not a hardcover), so it would be a haggle item. I paid a little less than $200 for a signed If We Take a couple of years ago and considered that a fair deal, but that is a much earlier piece, signed in 1969. Adjust accordingly.

I haven't seen much evidence that the inscription has a lot of effect on the value of the signature, no matter who they are inscribed to. They have a certain historic value, and I like them, I'm just not convinced they will ever fetch a premium. Unless he inscribed a book to a future president or serial killer. But anything signed is a good bet.

 

[Rekrab]

I still miss my orange covered first of Sampler, but then I miss all sorts of things like dead dogs and lost friends. Crucifix seems like the better investment.

 

[BUK72]

If I remember correctly, the NYG The Last Generation is HC, so in terms of investment that would be a more logical choice. For some reason, I'm really drawn to the Sampler. The Buk drawing on the cover has a big appeal for me. I guess I'm a sucker for packaging. I would definitely treasure it and find a good home for it on my Bukowski bookshelf. It's funny how no other writer has this effect on me in regards to owning rare, signed, first edition, etc...

 

[Purple Stickpin]

For $150, the '84 NYG to Purdy had better be HC. If not, run away.

The '82 NYG is nice enough, but not one of the more special ones ('69, '76 and '91 being standouts from a production standpoint). But a signed HC NYG for $125 is basically the going rate. You won't find them often for less and if they are listed higher, they rarely sell.

 

[BUK72]

So today was the first chance I had to visit the bookstore where I saw the Bukowski materials I mentioned recently in this thread. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but if I may rephrase, this picture is worth $200

I'm feeling pretty good about this purchase. Any guilt I might have about the monetary expense for these titles will shortly be drowned by a bottle of fine Argentinian malbec that I bought with the $57 saved thanks to my haggling acumen.

I finally have a Bukowski signed piece! (NYG-1984 -#44)

Thanks for letting me indulge you all on this thread and thanks for all your advice.

 

[hank solo]

That sampler does look sharp... Nice.

 

[BUK72]

Indeed it does. It reads sharp, to the truth without any extraneous effort. Yes, these poems can be found elsewhere, but this Sampler is a beauty to behold. Blazek's introduction sets up the casual Buk reader for a royal flush of discovery. Buk's doodles throughout add to what at the time must have been a significant representation of a man's art. A humble offering of a radiant genius of words... Verbosity taketh over + good spirits... overcome with joy...

 

[james]

very nice, brother!

 

[Purple Stickpin]

Am I to understand that you got both the signed and inscribed to Purdy copy of the '84 NYG and the first of Sampler for $200?

 

[BUK72]

No, I'm afraid I was mistaken concerning what I thought was an inscribed NYG to Al Purdy. It was actually a copy that was sent via Paget press to be given to Purdy. On the purple paper dust jacket is a inscription from someone at Paget to Purdy. I got the NYG '84 and The Sampler for $200. I purchased these items at a bookstore in Sidney, BC where Al Purdy resided towards the end of his life. The owner told me that he used to frequent the store quite often.

 

[Stationary Explorer]

Question - obviously a true edition of this book would be most desireable, but let's say you can't afford it and you find that cream colored "unofficial" edition for a reasonable price...does the bootleg version lack any of the text of the official editions? Would it be frowned upon to own such a a thing, if only for reading purposes?

 

[hank solo]

I'd say pick up any copy you find if the price is right. It's not in print right now, so its reading the words that really matters.

And no, I'm not aware of an omissions. Remember that the later editions contain material not collected in the first. Whether the later editions are strictly bootlegs is another matter. I prefer to say 'possibly not strictly authorised reprints'.