All The Assholes in the World and Mine: “Author’s Edition” with Uncollected Manuscript

This is a very special copy of All The Assholes in the World, Charles Bukowski’s second book of prose.

This copy is from the library of John Martin, who added his signature and owner label.

This is one of Bukowski’s “Author” editions, in which he added a poem or drawing to the chapbook. In this case, he has added a signed manuscript for a poem titled, “style”.

In the groundbreaking reference book “A Descriptive Biography of the Primary Publications of Charles Bukowski”, editor Aaron Krumhansl described the Author’s edition:

“As late as the early 1970s, Bukowski still retained multiple copies of this title. At some point he created a small private “Authors edition” by tipping in or binding in at the center staple either an original signed illustration or a signed typescript poem. Not less than three nor more than five such copies were created.”

Once again, the signed manuscript is titled “style”. This is not the same style as the famous poem that appeared in three books, seven magazines and five recordings. This poem has not been included in any books, but did appear in the magazine Invisible City No. 1, published in February 1971. This package includes a copy of the magazine.

The manuscript, which I believe is a carbon copy, is in fine condition with a period signature.

The book is in Near Fine condition with a faint, very small crease on the lower left corner of the rear cover. See photo with John Martin’s signature.

Invisble City is in Very Good ++ condition. The paper used is quite thick, so there’s no tears, even at the folds. And the quality of the paper resulted in it still being nice and bright.

More about All The Assholes in the World and Mine

This was Bukowski’s second book of prose and also features the second appearance of Bukowski’s classic underdog, Henry Chinaski, perhaps best known as the main character in the film Barfly.

The chapbook is a humorous 28-page recounting of Bukowski’s hemorrhoid operation. The condition had caused him pain and bleeding over several years and resulted in many sick days at the Post Office. It was Bukowski’s second stay in the hospital, following stomach ulcers that nearly killed him years earlier.

Beyond publishing two books of Bukowski prose, Blazek was an accomplished poet and the publisher of OLE magazine. Eight issues of OLE were produced between 1964 and 1967, and in a way it started where the Outsider left off, in terms of giving exposure to underground poets. Even if the magazine was primitively produced on mimeo, the quality of the writing itself set a standard for the period, rivaling only Marvin Malone’s Wormwood Review.

Blazek and Bukowski considered themselves friends and had a lengthy correspondence between 1964 to 1968. But as with other poets and editors, the relationship ended abruptly after their first meeting in person. As with Jon Webb, both can be blamed for the fall out.

More about Invisible City No. 1

Published in February 1971, Invisible City No. 1 featured a centerfold of Bukowski poems titled, “TEN POEMS”. Five of these poems are first appearances and the other five remain uncollected to this day.

Published in Los Angeles by Paul Vangelisti and John McBride, Invisible City was one of the most important poetry reviews in post-beat LA.

The magazine is in Very Good + condition. The paper used is quite thick, so there’s no tears, even at the folds, and is still nice and bright. 

The poems include:

• 5 Men In Black Passing My Window
• Ah
• Here
• Rolled Again
• Songs Of Death
• Style
• The Bums At Phillipe's
• The Last Days Of The Suicide Kid
• You Might As Well Kiss Your Ass Goodbye
• Zoo

Here, Rolled Again, Songs Of Death, Style and Zoo have not been collected in any books to date. NOTE: The poem Style is not the same one we all know and love.

5 Men In Black Passing My Window later appeared in Mockingbird Wish Me Luck (1972).

Ah and You Might As Well Kiss Your Ass Goodbye later appeared in The People Look Like Flowers At Last (2007).

The Bums At Phillipe's later appeared in What Matters Most Is How Well You Walk Through The Fire (1999).

The Last Days Of The Suicide Kid later appeared in Mockingbird Wish Me Luck (1972), Run With the Hunted (1993), The Pleasures of the Damned (2007), and Essential Bukowski: Poetry (2016), as well as five recordings.

Case 1 and Crate 1