Description:

Abbie Hoffman
various, various
Abbie Hoffman Manuscript "Cosmic Car Rental" Signed with Two Typed Manuscripts
MS
An autograph manuscript signed by Abbie Hoffman, along with two other manuscripts. The manuscript is entitled "Cosmic Car Rental" and written on yellow lined legal paper. Accompanied by two typed manuscripts entitled "Brainwashing for Fun and Profit: Debunking the Bunk" and "T.V." Good to very good condition; please refer to the detailed descriptions before for further information.

Includes:

1. Autograph Manuscript Signed "Cosmic Car Rental." 1p, measuring 8.5" x 13", n.p., n.d. Written in pen on a single sheet of ruled yellow paper from a legal pad. Signed "Abbie Hoffman" on the verso. It reads in full: "If you can keep up with O.J. Simpson or get your rocks off on that sanitized smile behind the airport lobby stand then maybe Hertz or Avis are your security wheels away from home. But if you can't afford the Superbucks, don't carry a pocket full of credit cards and go day glo when you discover all those hidden costs, you might be ready for Bundy Rent-A-Wreck; Pico Blvd. at Centinela in Los Angeles. Don't be put off by the torn upholstery, the dents, or the patchwork paint job. ‘To look this ugly, these cars gotta run great,' insists chief Bundy kibbitzer-owner Dave Schwartz. There have been few customer complaints and no cars have disappeared in the 6 years Dave's been renting vintage vehicles. Where else can you climb into Dan Meridith's old Rambler (‘64) or drive away in the Sarah Miles Volkswagon Bug with Sunroof (‘66)? So maybe your taste runs to one of the endangered species specials like a ‘66 Mustang or a ‘58 Chevy Biscayne or the flagship of the fleet, a ‘61 Caddy Convertible. At $47 a week with 200 free miles (a nickle [sic] per after), you're in the driver's seat for a third the tag of the majors. The engines are kept in tip-top shape and service is highly personal. The interview is more like a zen dating game than what's customary. Even with a 100 cars to keep on the road, Bundys' rejects 40% of potential customers on karmic grounds. There is a preference for show bizz types from the East, especially New Yorkers. ‘They're not the world's best drivers but they're terrific talkers. Our cars like good conversation. They run better.'" Very good, with a central horizontal fold. Slight wear, with a staple hole in upper right corner. Boldly signed.

2) "Brainwashing for Fun and Profit: Debunking the Bunk." 4pp, measuring 8.5" x 11", New York, ca. 1976. A photocopied typescript of Hoffman's response to Timothy Leary's article about his encounter with Charles Manson in Folsom Prison for Oui magazine, in the August 1976 issue. The photocopy has the copy-editor's corrections. Not published, as best we can tell. "File Abbie Hoffman" written in pencil at top. Hoffman draws on his study of psychology to discredit Leary's take on the Manson murders, i.e., that brainwashing had played a large part. Hoffman also criticizes Leary for grandstanding -- something he himself was frequently accused of. The split between the two icons of the counterculture is especially noteworthy in light of their shared history: both were credited with being co-founders of the Youth International Party in the 1960s and Leary testified on Hoffman's behalf in the Chicago Seven trial. Four pages. Corner stapled; near fine. Among the photocopied changes, the above title is scratched out.

3) A typed manuscript "T.V." signed in text by B. Wallace. 7pp, measuring 8.5" x 11", n.p., n.d. Untitled, with the word "T.V." handwritten in the top margin. A piece written on the over-consumption of television and its potential harm to American society. Several corrections and annotations in ink. Slightly age-toned with a small patch of damp staining in the top margin. Stapled at upper left corner. Very good.

Abbot Howard Hoffman (1936-1989) was an American political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ("Yippies") and was a member of the Chicago Seven. He was also a leading proponent of the Flower Power movement. As a member of the Chicago Seven, Hoffman was charged with and tried for activities during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, for conspiring to use interstate commerce with intent to incite a riot and crossing state lines with the intent to incite a riot under the anti-riot provisions of Title X of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. His convictions were later vacated after several appeals. Hoffman continued his activism into the 1970s and remains an icon of the anti-Vietnam war movement and the counterculture era. He died by suicide in 1989 at age 52.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: MS

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