Unique Copy of It Catches My Heart in Its Hands: Signed Abstract Drawing, Dedication to Jon Webb with Drawing and Pressed Flowers Page

It Catches My Heart in Its Hands was produced by Jon and Louise Webb, founders of LouJon Press. All 777 copies were printed on an old sheet-fed press and were bound in their tiny apartment in New Orleans between 1963-1964. Unlike the Bukowski chapbooks that came before, this was a true book and an incredible book at that.

While there were 777 copies printed, the copies that I carry are quite special. In most cases, Bukowski simply signed and dated the book on the first page. The copies I sell have special characteristics that make them one of a kind. It could be an original aphorism on a limited paper stock, an original drawing or a painting, or a combination of both.

For example, the first page in this copy contains an original abstract drawing that Bukowski has dated and signed with his full name, instead of his usual BUK that he used for art. In addition, this copy also has a dedication (of sorts) to Jon Webb with a signed and dated drawing of himself looking into a mirror (at Webb):

MIRROR, MIRROR
ON THE WALL
JON WEBB
IS THE BEST
EDITOR
OF THEM ALL

Finally, this copy has a pressed flowers page bound between the outside cover and the interior cover -- where a piece of tissue paper is usually bound. Made out of Mulberry paper, it’s quite striking and I’ve never seen the page included in any other copy of the book – and I’ve seen a lot of them.

This copy also comes with a rare review of the book published in the March 1964 issue of Literary Times, based out of Chicago. This is an original clipping of the review, written by Ron Offen who would later publish Bukowski’s chapbook, Cold Dogs in the Courtyard. There is also an advertisement for the book offering readers a discount.

This copy has the orange/red color block over the title and the turquoise highlights on the cork cover. The wrap-around jacket underneath the cork is on white paper (some are yellow).

This copy is in Near Fine condition. The top two inches of mulberry paper page has separated from the binding but is still firmly in place. There is also a clean 1” tear on the interior wrapper.

File Box 1 and Case 5