# Is "Crucifix in a Deathhand" by Charles Bukowski a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Crucifix in a Deathhand by Charles Bukowski (Loujon Press / Lyle Stuart, 1965) is identified by: Loujon Press (Jon and Louise Webb), New Orleans, with the imprint of Lyle Stuart, 1965; approximately 3,100 copies, subtitled New Poems 1963-1965. True first is the 1965 Loujon Press / Lyle Stuart issue.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Loujon Press (Jon and Louise Webb), New Orleans, with the imprint of Lyle Stuart, 1965; approximately 3,100 copies, subtitled New Poems 1963-1965
- Large format, hand-letterpress on multiple shades of heavy deckle-edged Linweave paper, with four black-and-white etchings with tissue overlays by Noel Rockmore; copies signed and dated by Bukowski on the leaf preceding the colophon
- Publisher imprint reads Loujon Press / Lyle Stuart
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Charles Bukowski |
| Publisher | Loujon Press / Lyle Stuart |
| Year | 1965 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Loujon Press (Jon and Louise Webb), New Orleans, with the imprint of Lyle Stuart, 1965… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Loujon Press (Jon and Louise Webb), New Orleans, with the imprint of Lyle Stuart, 1965; approximately 3,100 copies, subtitled New Poems 1963-1965. Large format, hand-letterpress on multiple shades of heavy deckle-edged Linweave paper, with four black-and-white etchings with tissue overlays by Noel Rockmore; copies signed and dated by Bukowski on the leaf preceding the colophon.

## Is this the true first?
True first is the 1965 Loujon Press / Lyle Stuart issue.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Crucifix in a Deathhand* by Charles Bukowski a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/crucifix-in-a-deathhand
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.