Knight Jnauary 1970 -- First Appearance: Copulating Mermaid of Venice Beach, California by Charles Bukowski (1970)

This is the first appearance of Charles Bukowski's infamous short story, The Copulating Mermaid Of Venice, California. It appeared in the Adult magazine Knight in January 1970. At a high level, the plot involves two men stealing the body of a young, beautiful woman from a morgue, and then bringing the body to Venice Beach where one man has relations with her in the sea.

The story would later appear in 1972 in the City Lights book: Erections, Ejaculations and General Tales of Ordinary Madness. It was also featured in the film Crazy Love in 1987.

Illustrations for this story were done by Jim Spanfeller, who is probably best known as the illustrator for Jack Kerouac's novel, "VISIONS OF GERARD". Spanfeller began his career in the late 1950's and achieved the most recognition in the late 1960s, 70's and into the 80's. He illustrated many children's books, magazine articles, book jackets and advertising campaigns, earning numerous awards.

Covers have some wear and a chip. Inside is clean and unmarked. Very Good +.

Bukowski would appear in four issues of Knight between 1970-1972. Knight was published by Holloway House out Los Angeles. Founded in 1959, Holloway also published Adam magazine as well as biographies about Jayne Mansfield and Ernest Hemingway. After the Watts riots in 1965, the company began to focus on black writers aimed at a black working class market, a niche filled by no other publisher.  Their authors included Iceberg Slim (Robert Beck), Joseph Nazel, Leo Guild, Roosevelt Mallory, Odie Hawkins and Donald Goines.

Box 22, Copy 1