OPEN CITY No. 18, Aug. 31–Sept. 7, 1967 — NO BUKOWSKI COLUMN. Liza Williams' Debut Column, The Byrds, Taj Mahal, Donovan

This issue does not contain a Bukowski "Notes of a Dirty Old Man" column. It is notable as the debut of Liza Williams' column, here introduced with a full page and byline illustration. Williams, who would become one of the paper's most distinctive voices and a companion to Bukowski in later years, opens with an account of a late-night UFO sighting with friends in Los Angeles.

The front cover leads with editor John Bryan's editorial warning that a proposed Los Angeles parade ordinance would effectively suppress protest, drawing explicit parallels to early Nazi Germany. A companion piece reports on the ACLU's civil suit against Police Chief Reddin following the June 23 Century City confrontation. Interior features a full-page interview with Byrds leader Jim McGuinn at the Whisky A Go Go, and a feature on Taj Mahal. The back cover listings include Donovan at the Hollywood Bowl and Wes Montgomery at the Lighthouse. Large tabloid format, 17" x 11", black and white throughout.

Provenance: Pink mailing label on front cover addressed to John Bryan Sr. at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio — the editor's father at his place of work.

This copy is in pretty good shape with a slightly uneven fold that makes the pages stick out a bit at the right and bottom. There is browning along spine and page edges and a chip on the bottom left. Small stain on rear cover.