Confessions of a Man Insane Enough to Live with Beasts (First Edition, inscribed to the publisher, Douglas Blazek, in 1966, with two abstract drawings) by Bukowski, Charles - 1965

Bensenville, IL: Open Skull Press, 1965. First Edition. First Edition. One of about 500 copies published by Douglas Blazek's Open Skull Press, and the introduction of "Henry Chinaski," Bukowski's favorite anti-hero, to the world. INSCRIBED by Bukowski to Blazek inside the front wrapper: "For Douglas Blazek / Doug, you know what I mean / That where almost all men have fallen apart under the smallest circumstance, you've held to it, kept it like a sugar cube in a vase. O tough young bastard of holler, true son of truth / My remains of love / Buk / 1-25-66."At the rear of the volume appear two full-page color abstract drawings by Bukowski, neither called for, both dated and signed: "Hangover and First Drink," and "Dream of the Insect." Blazek, a prolific poet in his own right, was an important figure in the underground poetry scene and was one of the first publishers who understood the raw power in Bukowski's early poetry. He was the publisher of "Ole" and the owner of Open Skull Press. A fantastic association made truly unique by the additional early artwork on the final blanks. Quite possibly the finest copy of this chapbook in existence.Publisher's saddle-stitched pink wrappers. Fine.Krumhansl 17.