Harold and Sylvia's Book of Revelations, Sylvia Hikins & Harold Hikins

£19.70

Harold and Sylvia's Book of Revelations, Sylvia Hikins & Harold Hikins

Name: Harold and Sylvia's Book of Revelations, Sylvia Hikins & Harold Hikins
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6699
Price: 19.70 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Harold and Sylvia's Book of Revelations, Sylvia Hikins & Harold Hikins — 1st Edition

Publication: Liverpool, Toulouse Press, 1974

Formatting: 8vo; loosely inserted printed ephemera.

Condition Report: Very Good. The saddle-stitched binding remains tight and secure, though the glossy black wrappers exhibit some light handling wear, including a minor diagonal crease to the lower front corner and faint rubbing along the spine fold. The internal pages are remarkably bright and clean, free from any foxing or notable blemishes, with only the faintest hint of age-toning to the extreme edges. Crucially, the suite of loose, brightly coloured printed inserts remains fully intact, vibrant, and free of any tears, preserving the interactive nature of the publication.

Catalogue Note: First Edition. A quintessential example of 1970s Merseyside counterculture and small-press publishing. This multimedia poetry collection captures the irreverent performance style of Harold and Sylvia Hikins, fixtures of the local arts scene who frequently appeared on Radio Merseyside and at regional poetry festivals.

The publication combines a standard staple-bound booklet with a suite of brightly coloured loose printed inserts, including jokes, cartoons, and drawings, that readers are meant to interact with. The rear wrapper features a provocative nude photograph of the authors holding a banjo, credited to Harold and Sylvia, cementing the book's bohemian charm.

Given its fragile format and the ephemeral nature of the loose inserts, surviving complete copies are scarce on the open market.

A vibrant relic of the 1970s Liverpool poetry scene, Harold and Sylvia's Book of Revelations captures the spirited, performative essence of the beloved local literary duo. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional print, the authors designed this collection to be an immersive experience. Embellished with cartoons, jokes, and an array of interactive ephemera laid in, the book seeks to recreate the lively, unapologetic atmosphere of their legendary spoken-word performances across Merseyside. Humorous, slightly scandalous, and completely authentic, this collection offers a brilliant snapshot of grassroots British counterculture.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Sylvia Hikins & Harold Hikins

Book Publisher: Toulouse Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1974

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

Illustrator: Sylvia Hikins

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Liverpool, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.