THERE'S NO BUSINESS - PRESENTATION COPY, WITH INVERTED SIGNATURES

Santa Barbara: Black Sparrow Press, 1984. First Edition. Terrific story about the final act of a washed-up comic, illustrated throughout in Crumb's trademark style. There's No Business was the third of four projects Bukowski collaborated on with Crumb during his lifetime. In a letter to the last owner (which is laid into this copy), Black Sparrow Press publisher John Martin relays the following regarding this copy: "I sent the printed colophons first to Crumb in France. About half way through the job Crumb playfully signed that one sheet with Hank's name. I didn't notice that, and sent the sheets to Hank to sign. When Hank came to that sheet, he responded by playfully signing Crumb's name instead of his own. Hank and Crumb genuinely admired one another." A unique "A" item from the press. Krumhansl 87c (see note on p.102). Limited (Cloth) Issue, one of seven copies marked "Presentation Copy" and signed by the author and the illustrator on the colophon. Quarto (27.5cm); pictorial paper-covered boards and purple polka-dot patterned cloth backstrip, with title label mounted to spine; publisher's original acetate dustjacket; 17,[3]pp; illus. A unique copy, where Crumb has signed Bukowski's name on the colophon in his usual fine-point pen, and Bukowski has signed Crumb's in black felt-tipped pen. Gentle sunning and some scattered foxing to upper board edges, title label faded a few shades, else Near Fine in a lightly rubbed, Near Fine dustjacket.