UNDERGROUND DIGEST: The Best of the Underground Press, Volume 1, Numbers 1 and 2; [Two issues, all published]

New York: Underground Communications, 1967. First edition of each, the only two issues published by the short-lived digest. "The Underground Digest selects and edits the best of the new press -- the lively new writing that characterizes an age of drastic change throughout the country...[from]...the best of hundreds of regional publications, as well as original material from the literary talent of the future." FIRST ISSUE comprised for the most part of material reprinted from the 31 newspapers and magazines listed inside rear cover as "Members of the Underground Press Syndicate" (Avatar, Berkeley Barb, Canadian Free Press, East Village Other, Fifth Estate, Graffitti, Guerrilla, Helix, et al) with what appear to be original record and book reviews by editor Castell and Christopher Watson, respectively. SECOND ISSUE is a mix of reprinted and original material with Bukowski's contribution, "Notes of a Dirty Old Man," pp. 76-79, reprinted from "Open City"; Hoffman's "Diggery is [offensive word]" printed under his own name vs. the pseudonym used in "Win"; an original 5-page interview with Frank Zappa by Anna Maria Stramese; an apparently original article by Thomas de Baggio, "Scandal in Sacramento," followed by the Drew Pearson /Jack Anderson column that broke the alleged "news" about the "homosexual ring" operating in the office of then-Governor Ronald Reagan; Tom Robbins review of the "Doors" reprinted from "Helix"; "Washington Underground," an apparently original column on the underground press in DC by de Baggio; 3-page "Head Comix" and 2-page "Life Among the Constipated" by R. Crumb, both reprinted from "Yarrowstalks"; editor Castell's column "Bad Trip"; and record and book reviews by Castell and Watson, respectively. Both issues in 8vo pictorial, stapled paperwraps; illustrated with cartoons, photographs, and drawings; 98 pages each. Light damp staining to lower outer quarter of pages in first issue and scattered fore-edge tears to second issue, otherwise both are about very good with text blocks somewhat aged, and covers lightly soiled and showing a few small creases and tears. Scarce.