Wormwood Review 7 -- Signed by Marvin Malone as A. Sypher (1962)

Published in 1962, Wormwood Review 7 was the first issue in which Charles Bukowski appeared. Over the next 34 years, Bukowski would appear in 97 issues of Wormwood Review, contributing hundreds of poems, many of which were never published in books.

Malone was also the Cover Designer for Wormwood Review using the pseudonym, A. Sypher. This copy has his A. Sypher signature on the rear cover.

Many (if not most) of the copies of this issue were hand-colored by Malone and his children, making each copy a one-of-a-kind. Although not as extravagant as others, this one is decorated in red and purple.

It may not look like it because of the low production value, but this copy is in Near Fine condition with small bumps to the right top and bottom corners.

This copy is hand-numbered, #293 out of 500 copies and features the Bukowski poem, Thank God For Alleys. The poem that would later appear in Cold Dogs in the Courtyard (1965), A Bukowski Sampler (1969) and The Roominghouse Madrigals (1988).

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.

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