Signatures: A Study of Charles Bukowski’s Appearances in Targets (#5/35)

In 1987, Letters Bookshop in Toronto, Canada, offered for sale Al Purdy's copies of "A Signature of Charles Bukowski Poetry" (Targets 4, December 1960) and "Charles Bukowski A Signature of Poetry" (Targets 15, September 1963) aka Signature 3. Al Purdy was a friend of Bukowski and a fellow poet, well-known in Canada (A volume of Bukowski-Purdy Letters was published by Paget Press).

As part of the sale, the bookshop created this side-stitched catalog titled “Signatures”. The chapbook is more of an academic, 32-page study rather than a catalog. The bookstore only issued 35 hand-numbered copies, this being #5/35.

The catalogue describes these issues of Targets in fascinating detail, including photocopies of the original publications. There are several quotes from Bukowski experts, such as Wormwood Review publisher Marvin Malone, who questions even the existence of Signature 3.

The catalogue remains a definitive reference volume for researchers and any serious Bukowski collector.

This copy is in Near Fine-plus condition with tiny bumps to the corners. Measures approximately 8.5” x 5.5”.

A true Bukowski rarity.

Box 20