PUNK MAGAZINE, Volume 1, Numbers 2, 11, 16, 17

New York: Punk Publications, Inc, 1979. Signed by Patti Smith, the poet laureate of punk, on the front cover of Number 2.

Punk Magazine was founded in 1975 by cartoonist John Holmstrom, publisher Ged Dunn, and journalist Legs McNeil. Its use of the term "punk rock", coined by writers for Creem magazine a few years earlier to describe the simplistic and crude style of '60s garage rock bands, further popularized the label. This magazine was also the first to bring attention to the CBGB scene.

The evolution of the magazine is apparent with this short run. The earlier issues are tabloid size, printed on newsprint and folded, which preceded (truncated) the transition to a standard A4 format with full-color wrappers. Skirting the mainstream as punk emerged in the New York City commercial art scene, Punk gradually began to include advertisements catering to fashion and art in the East Village.

The second issue, which features two images of Patti Smith on the front cover, includes a piece on the Talking Heads. Number 11 spotlights Dick Manitoba and the Dictators, a classic CBGB band, along with John Cale, The Clash, and Crime. Number 16 features articles on disco mania, Sid Vicious and his tragic love affair with Nancy Spurgeon, and the Boomtown Rats, as well as a review of Leni Reifenstal's controversial film Triumph of the Will (1935). Number 17 includes stories on The Rolling Stones, David Johansen, and Alice Cooper. All four issues are fully illustrated with photographs, cartoons, advertisements, etc.

Some general wear to all four issues, with a slender chip along the bottom quarter of the fold of Number 11 and a bit of minor staining to Number 17; otherwise very good overall. (Inventory #: 77434)