Helix Vol. II No. 10. February 1, 1968: Grateful Dead Concert Review; Forward Thrust Article; William Burroughs Ad for "Chappaqua (Underground)"
Seattle: Helix, 1968. Walt Crowley Cover Illustration After William Blake. First Printing. Tabloid Newspaper. Tabloid printed on newsprint measuring 11.5 x 16 inches. Pp. 20. Front and rear covers and center spread printed in color. A couple spots of foxing on fore-edge, else a bright, fresh copy. Very Good. Item #11561 In late spring 1967, Helix joined a burgeoning underground press then including groundbreaking alternative papers the East Village Other, the Los Angeles Free Press, the Fifth Estate and the Berkeley Barb. Founded by Paul Sawyer, Paul Dorpat and Lorenzo Milam, it sprang from their intellectual fervor at the Free University, an alternative thinktank they also founded. Eventually star-illustrator Walt Crowley assumed editorship. A pebble in the shoe of Seattle establishment, the "hip rag" brought attention to civic injustice by rallying its youthful readership to activism. The apogee of that effort followed the 1970 killing of students at Kent State: over the course of May 5-8, Helix organized protests that blocked US Interstate 5 while marching between the University District and rallies at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle. Early issues are increasingly scarce. This issue is housed in a removable, clear sleeve with an acid-free backing.
An early issue of the Seattle underground bi-weekly (that transitioned to a weekly in September 1969) with articles on the Forward Thrust initiative, KRAB FM and its challenges with the FCC, a LeRoi Jones account of being beat by the police, a review of a recent Grateful Dead and Quicksilver Messenger Service concert, and a centerfold article on meditation by Sri Narad. Featuring ads for "Chappaqua (Underground)," with Ornette Coleman, William S. Burroughs, Moondog and others.
Price: $65.00