PAPER ON THE FLOOR -- Rare Broadside (1960)

Although PAPER ON THE FLOOR was included in COFFIN I in 1964, the broadside was actually printed in 1960, along with HIS WIFE, THE PAINTER.

According to Krumhansl, 151 copies of PAPER ON THE FLOOR were printed, 150 of which were laid into COFFIN 1 and one used in the offset pasteup for Flower, Fist and Bestial Wail. Its use for Flower, Fist and Bestial Wail explains why it was printed earlier, even though the intention was always to include it in COFFIN 1.

As an aside, it’s believed that HIS WIFE, THE PAINTER, was published on June16, 1960, to appease Bukowski who had grown distraught over the two years he spent waiting for Flower, Fist and Bestial Wail to be published. As a result, 50 copies of this broadside were distributed to poets and friends of publisher E.V. Griffith – although the intent was always for the broadside to be included in COFFIN 1.

It's hard to say where this copy of PAPER ON THE FLOOR may have come from. It’s doubtful (at least to me) that it is the copy used in the offset pasteup for Flower, Fist and Bestial Wail. More than likely it’s a print overrun, or an orphan separated from the portfolio at some point. COFFIN  1 is such a scarce item, making me wonder sometimes if 150 were even published.

The broadside is composed of a single sheet measuring 11” x 7”, folded once to make a “7 x 5.5” four-page booklet.

This copy is in Fine condition.

Case 3