Hambone, No.1 [bell hooks, Ishmael Reed, Nate Mackey]

Nathaniel Mackey & Gloria Watkins [bell hooks], eds.

Stanford: The Committee for Black Performing Arts, 1974. In photo-illustrated wraps. 8 ½ x 11 in. 123 pp. Black-and-white illustrations throughout text.

The premiere issue of this influential Black literary journal, edited and with poetry by 20-year-old bell hooks, writing her under birth name Gloria Watkins, and Nate Mackey.

One of hook’s poems found here - No More Firewater - would be included in her first book four years later; we are unable to find any documentation suggesting that she ever revisited or republished the other poems in this issue, making this journal a rare look at some of the earliest work of the groundbreaking writer, scholar, and feminist theorist.

Published while both Mackey and hooks were still in school at Stanford, Hambone was a product of their creative and romantic partnership. By the time the magazine’s publication restarted eight years later, their relationship was at its end and both were published authors. Mackey continues to irregularly publish new issues of the magazine today - the most recent released in 2015.

Hambone No. 1 also includes writing and images by a number of poets, writers, musicians, artists, and academics now renowned for their work including Ishmael Reed, David Henderson, Michael S. Harper, John H. Cochran, Richard Grant, Halifu, Anthony Braxton, Al Young, Jim Mitchell, Wandera Ogana, David E. Jackson, Karen Johnson, Casper Banjo, Fred Johnson, Jon Eckels, Sarah Fabio, James W. Blake, Etta Ish, William Lawson, Gerald Barrax, Caleb Williams, and Johnie Scott.

A powerful collection of Black literature and art in the 1970s, including some of the earliest published work by one of the most important Black feminists of the 20th Century.

Near fine; light wear at spine.