University of Arizona

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Black Sparrow Press Collection

In a black and white image, writer Charles Bukowski has his arm around actor Mickey Rourke. The two are gesturing and smiling.

Black Sparrow Press was a small independent publishing house focused on avant-garde literature. Produced by John and Barbara Martin, with the help of typographer and printer Graham Mackintosh, the Press was responsible for drawing attention to Charles Bukowski and his literary work.

Each published title includes correspondence from authors, layout matter and artwork, ephemera, photographs, manuscripts, proofs, and first editions. Black Sparrow Press published a number of American and English authors including Diane Wakoski, Joyce Carol Oates, Robert Creeley, Charles Olson, John Fante, Gerard Malanga, Wanda Coleman, and acquired publication rights for Wyndham Lewis and D. H. Lawrence.