The first four (of five total) volumes of this northern California literary journal, which according to one OCLC entry subsequently changed its name to Back Roads. Each volume contains a democratic mix of poetry, fiction, and art from various contributors, with poet David Bromige and photographer Robert Altman being perhaps the two most recognizable names. The prevailing aesthetic is very much in line with early 70s hippie culture, and the multitude of hand-drawn local business advertisements in vols. 2-4 provide a compelling window into the region’s robust community network. All four volumes signed by Spencer Maxwell, who contributed poems to vols. 1,2, and 4. Volume 3 is also inscribed to Maxwell by Wilfred de Paola, who provided cover art for the latter three volumes. Interesting and uncommon artistic and cultural documents of their time.
Monte Rio, CA: Paper Pudding, 1971-73. Edited by Steve Minkin. Volume 1: side-stapled in printed paper wraps, 9 x 7 in.; unpaginated (~62pp.). Volumes 2-4: perfect-bound in printed wraps; 5.5 x 8.5 in.; various paginations. Creasing and wear to the yapped fore-edges of volume 1. Some soft creasing to the cover of the “Fall ‘72” issue, whose binding glue also seems somewhat fragile/brittle. Else all four volumes near fine, with only light soiling to the covers.
