The Purple Cow 1899, Gelett Burgess, rare and collectible

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

The Purple Cow 1899, Gelett Burgess, rare and collectible:
$25.00

Frank Gelett Burgess, American artist, art critic, poet, author and humorist, started his very popular little magazine The Lark in San Francisco in 1895, which featured an eclectic mix of nonsense verse and art contributed by a variety of writers and artists. In 1899 Burgess released this spinoff issue of the Lark, The Purple Cow, which featured his recycled contributions to his original publication. He takes credit on the last page for writing the poem

“I never saw a purple cow

I never hope to see one;

But I can tell you, anyhow,

I’d rather see than be one!”

This copy is in fair condition- the cover is damaged and no longer attached to Magazine; the stitching has separated from the binding and some pages are loose. The interior pages are otherwise in very nice condition. It measures 6x9 1/2 inches.