Wormwood Review 53 – Signed by Charles Bukowski

Published in 1974, Wormwood 53 contains a special Charles Bukowski section, “55 Beds In The Same Direction.”

Although not part of the first 40 limited edition copies that feature signatures by Bukowski and Malone, Bukowski has signed this copy on the cover. It is hand-numbered # 308.

This copy is in Near Fine condition.

This issue contains 9 Bukowski poems, five of which have yet to be published again.

Finish, Tarot, Eleven, No Bra, No Panties, and A Bit Of Light For The Toad have yet to be published again.

55 Beds In The Same Direction and Well and Now That Ezra Has Died would appear in Storm for the Living and the Dead (2017), 200 Years would appear in Come On In! (2006), and Demise would appear in What Matters Most Is How Well You Walk Through The Fire (1999).

Wormwood Review was published by the legendary Marvin Malone (1930-1996). Malone was a pharmacologist, scientific researcher, educator, artist, poetry collector, and editor. Upon arrival to Storrs, Connecticut in 1960, Malone discovered the second issue of Wormwood Review and soon took over the publication as the sole editor, publisher, and designer (alias A. Sypher), producing quarterly issues until his death in 1996.

Wormwood Review ran for 144 issues (1959-1997). Christa Malone, Marvin's daughter, co-edited issue 144 after Marvin's death, and released issue 145/146 as a special tribute issue to Marvin in 1999.