Published in 1962 by 7 Poets Press out of New York, Longshot Pomes for Broke Players is one of Charles Bukowski’s most collectible books.
This is a very rare “Author’s Copy” in which Bukowski has painted his famous “Little Man” on the final blank end page of the chapbook. There are three signatures:
- One on the painting itself
- One on a torn blank sheet of paper with a drawing
- One on the title page with an inscription: “To Werner and Diane Hindrichs -- Poetry is the Art of Confusion. Here’s some.”
(Werner Hindrichs was a book collector who later went on to open a book shop. He knew Bukowski for a long period of time and was also an acquaintance of Black Sparrow publisher John Martin.)
This copy is in Fine condition and is housed in a leather slipcase with the title on the spine.
Excluding the LouJon Press books, Longshot is the most beautifully designed early chapbook. The covers are printed on thick, textured stock and the front features an iconic Bukowski drawing. The interior pages are made of high-quality paper and are held together by three heavy-duty staples.
Longshot Pomes for Broke Players is considered to be Charles Bukowski’s second true chapbook. It was produced and edited by Carl Larsen, an early proponent of Bukowski’s work.
Carl Larsen published three magazines in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His first magazine was Existaria, published out of Hermosa Beach in Southern California. Bukowski appeared in Existaria No. 7 in 1957, only his 13th appearance in any literary magazine.
His second periodical was RongWrong. It was published quarterly for five issues in New York during the early 1960s. Bukowski appeared in Rong Wrong issues No.1, No. 2, and No. 4 between 1961 and 1962.
His final magazine was Brand X, which ran for 12 issues in 1962. Bukowski was featured in Brand X issues No. 1 and No. 5.
While he was still producing RongRong, 7 Poets Press started issuing chapbooks. Longshot Pomes for Broke Players was number 3 in the series.
File Box 2
