Black sparrow press book covers

In 2002, john martin, the founder and for thirtysix years the publisher of black sparrow press, closed down his shop in santa rosa, california and retired. Signed by gerard malanga on the colophon page at the back. In 1965, founder john martin was managing an office supply company in southern california when he stumbled upon the writing of bukowski a then 46yearold post office employee. As a publisher, he is best known for his work with charles bukowski, john fante and paul bowles. Aug 16, 20 celebrate charles bukowskis birthday with iconic black sparrow press book covers. From the description of black sparrow press collection, 19662002.

Became the home of john martins publishing list in 2002. I recently acquired another black sparrow press book. The academy of american poets is the largest membershipbased nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting american poets. John martin born 1930 is a legendary american publisher who founded the black sparrow press. A book collector since the age of 20, martin sold his collection of d.

May 19, 2007 i know some of you may frown upon threads like these, but i dont know where else to do. Martin designed the covers and texts for the press. The black sparrow book cover designs are highly recognizable as barbara martin, johns wife, completed the vast majority. The iconic, legendary designs of black sparrow press books. Born in 1946, wanda coleman was the author of several poetry collections, including bathwater wine black sparrow press, 1998, which won the lenore marshall poetry prize. It should come as no surprise that the books carry such a singular identity. Books with a cover that has a black background 370 books. Dec 5, 2018 welldesigned books make our hearts sing. Godine, publisher, an independent publishing house based out of. A bibliography of the black sparrow press 19661978 morrow, bradford on. Buy midnight mass by paul bowles online at alibris.

Signed by the author at the colophon and numbered 4 of 5 presentation copies in the limited first edition, this book contains a boundin original oil painting by charles bukowski, still protected with the original tissue guard. Black sparrow press social networks and archival context. There is a real 1960s beat generation feel to some of them pale, pastel covers and geometric shapes with the art often wrapping around to the rear board. Martin retired in 2002, and black sparrow press was sold to david r. Black sparrow press hardcovers charles bukowski american. See more ideas about beautiful book covers, book design and books. Gerard malanga signed incarnations limited first edition. Black sparrow is full of these types of book collecting shortcuts. And now the royalties from sparrow match or surpass all other royalties. One cannot discuss black sparrow press without mentioning charles bukowski. After finding new homes for four of his authorscharles bukowski, paul bowles, john fante went to ecco, and wyndham lewis went to gingko presshe entrusted the rest of the revered backlist to fellow publisher, david r. Perhaps the most familiar of all the literary small presses, black sparrow began life with the money john.

Black sparrow press, based in santa rosa, california, began in 1966 as a vehicle for john martin to publish the work that he loved, but went on to become a financial success. Shop paperbacks in a wide range of genres, including fiction, history, biography, romance, and more. The book covers he designed for new directions are modern and geographic with a sense of playfulness. Not to mention he designed covers for many of my favorite authors.

Books and publications by charles bukowski are sought after by collectors so the. Black sparrow press was founded in 1966 by john martin, who together with his wife barbara who designed almost all of the iconic book covers and. We sell great books at great prices with super fast shipping and free tracking. Mar 02, 2016 notes on black sparrow press i devoured the books of paul bowles after travelling in morocco and i equally voraciously read charles bukowski after visiting the states. No remainder marks and not an exlibrary, we ship daily. After finding new homes for four of his authorscharles bukowski, paul bowles, john fante went to ecco, and wyndham lewis went to gingko press he entrusted the rest of the revered backlist to fellow publisher, david r. Black sparrow press is perhaps best known for publishing the work of charles bukowski, john fante, and paul bowles.

Black sparrow press was founded in 1966 by john martin, who together with his wife barbara who designed almost all of the iconic book covers. Find best value and selection for your lot 6 black sparrow press letterpress charles bukowski barbara martin book cover search on. This copy does not have the 7inch vinyl lp the maker of the sound by k. About me john martin, the great collector of avantgarde books, visionary patron of charles bukowski, and founder, publisher, and for thirtysix years sole proprietor of black sparrow press, once said. Covers printed in red and black indicating first printing. Barbara martin designed black sparrow covers and title pages between the late 1960s and 2002. Covers show a little light edgewear, at the bottom edge more than the top edge.

Aug 21, 2002 the story of black sparrow press, californias premier literary publisher for nearly 40 years, was extraordinary from the start. Martin financed the startup of the company by selling his large collection of rare first editions. Cover design by matt dorfman hogarth, july 9 tyler comrie. Cover design by matt dorfman fsg, july 9 this cover is wonderfully energetic and unexpected. While searching for a better copy cover, font size, and paper weight of the sheltering sky by paul bowles, i discovered the brilliant book covers designs of alvin lustig. On black sparrow press honest publishing independent. Black sparrow press, a boutique press, might have produced some of the most distinctivelooking paperback titles ever. The offwhite, mottled, autumnal covers of the book covers are always eyecatching but even more fetching are the distinctive front covers that are always embossed with some futuristic painting or drawing. Volumes often were produced in limited numbers, and the press also published a serial magazine, broadsides and chapbooks. Black sparrow press was founded in 1966 by john martin, who together with his wife barbara who designed almost all of the iconic book covers and spines, mastered the craft of turning a brilliant.

Black sparrow press collection, 19662002 emoryfindingaids. Physically the magazine draws on the aesthetic of the 1960s black sparrow press, foregrounding typography and employing only abstract elements. I cant find much on black sparrow hardcover wise, so, this thread was born. Sep 05, 20 black sparrow books had no messy dust jacket to maintain, and the acetate further protected the condition of the book. Books with a cover that has a black background score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it. Charles bukowski 11 x 14 book cover jacket black sparrow. West of rome john fante limited first edition black. Lot 6 black sparrow press letterpress charles bukowski barbara. Born in lynn, massachusetts in 1950 to chinese emigrants, yau attended bard college and earned an mfa from brooklyn college in 1978. What links them both is the beautiful editions of their books published by black sparrow press in california. Black sparrow press changed that by issuing limited editions that were.

Martin acted as publisher, as well as editor of many projects, though also worked with freelance editors regularly such as seamus cooney. Barbara martin designed the covers and texts for the press. Publisher who adopted the name black sparrow books for a short time before returning in 2019 to the original black sparrow. The cover with just a hint of surface rubbing and contents appear clean with the binding secure. This series is arranged in chronological order and each project is organized according to the process of production, which is partially documented in a bibliography of the black sparrow press, 19661978cooney, morrow, 1981. Celebrate charles bukowskis birthday with iconic black. Many black sparrow press titles have become highly collectible. The story of black sparrow press, californias premier literary publisher for nearly 40 years, was extraordinary from the start. Street and agony way, a book of poems by charles bukowskibut went on to. We print on a textured uncoated stock for a tactile feel and design our covers in thematically related pairs. His first book of poetry, crossing canal street, was. A bibliography of the black sparrow press 19661978. In addition, a damaged acetate could be replaced without anybody being any the wiser. Now, any of you guys out there that are looking to get rid of any of your black sparrow hardcovers, for whatever.