A One‑of‑a‑Kind Bukowski Collectible: South of No North (1973) — Art, Association, and the Heart of Black Sparrow Press

Some books arrive with presence. Others arrive with provenance. And then, once in a great while, a book surfaces that carries both—radiating the creative energy of its maker while tracing a direct line through the history of the press that shaped his career.

Our newest acquisition at Barron Rare Books is exactly that kind of discovery: a remarkable, double‑signed, art‑bearing, association‑rich copy of Charles Bukowski’s South of No North (1973), one of the most important collections in the Black Sparrow Press canon. This is not merely a collectible. It’s a bibliographic event.

The Book: Bukowski at His Breakthrough Moment

Published in 1973, South of No North marks a pivotal moment in Bukowski’s evolution—from underground poet to a writer whose fiction would define a generation of raw, unvarnished American literature. Black Sparrow Press, under the stewardship of John Martin, recognized the seismic shift underway.

This copy is the Limited Issue, one of just 50 copies (from 60 total) containing:

• An original pastel drawing by Bukowski, signed on the artwork

• A second Bukowski signature at the colophon

• Hand-binding by Earle Gray

• Design by Barbara Martin

• Printing by Noel Young

The boards—marbled in pale purple, white, black, and gray—retain their striking visual texture, with only mild foxing and light fore-edge staining. The publisher’s acetate jacket is present and clean. Overall, a Near Fine example of one of Bukowski’s most desirable limited editions.

*Bibliographic references: Krumhansl 45.c; Morrow & Cooney 165.c; Fogel 43.

The Association: Seamus Cooney, the Scholar Behind the Press

This copy comes directly from the collection of Seamus Cooney, long-time Black Sparrow editor and bibliographer, whose Checklist of the First One Hundred Publications of The Black Sparrow Press remains a foundational reference for collectors.

Cooney wasn’t just an editor—he was one of the press’s intellectual anchors, shaping how Bukowski’s work was presented, preserved, and understood. To hold a Bukowski limited from Cooney’s shelves is to hold a piece of Black Sparrow’s internal history.

The Extras: A Publisher’s Letter & Rare Creeley Collage

What elevates this copy from exceptional to extraordinary is the accompanying material:

1. A Typed Letter Signed by John Martin

Addressed to Seamus Cooney, with original envelope, the letter includes Martin’s electrifying assessment of South of No North as:

“an earth-shaker,” worthy of standing beside Naked Lunch and Last Exit to Brooklyn.

It’s a candid, behind-the-scenes glimpse into Martin’s belief in Bukowski’s fiction—and a testament to the press’s ambitions for the book.

2. An Original Collage by Bobbie Creeley

Created for Robert Creeley’s 1968 special edition of The Finger, this collage adds a second artistic dimension to the ensemble. Its presence underscores the interconnected creative world of Black Sparrow’s authors, artists, and editors.

Both the letter and collage are Near Fine, with only slight foxing and minor wear to the envelope.

Why This Copy Matters

This is the kind of book that rarely surfaces—and almost never with this constellation of features:

• Original Bukowski artwork

• Double signature

• Direct association with Seamus Cooney

• A revealing letter from publisher John Martin

• A unique Bobbie Creeley collage

• Fine Black Sparrow craftsmanship at its peak

It is a singular artifact that bridges Bukowski’s creative force with the editorial and artistic ecosystem that shaped his rise. For collectors of Bukowski, Black Sparrow Press, or postwar American literature, this is a once-in-a-generation offering. A New Arrival available @ BarronRareBooks.com