Helix Vol. I No. 3 1/2, May 4, 1967 Extra Thursday Edition
Seattle: Helix, 1967. Maryl Clemmens, Walt Crowley, Gary Finholt. First Printing. Tabloid Newspaper. Tabloid printed black on newsprint measuring 11.25 x 17.5 inches. Pp. 8 including covers. Cover wrap and center spread printed in color. Edges crimped and rubbed, short closed tears, spine chipped, mellowed horizontal crease. Very Good. Item #6063 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 copy is housed in a removable, clear sleeve with an acid-free backing.
An early issue of the Seattle underground bi-weekly (transitioned to a weekly schedule in September 1969). Special issue celebrating a counterculture victory, the cover announces an OCS light show and dance performance at Eagle's Auditorium. Contents include a graphic story of its permitting and a center spread pictorial report on the Flower Potlatch Isness-In.
Price: $75.00