GUILD BOOK SERVICE. A FILE OF ISSUES 1 - 49, APPARENTLY COMPLETE. Herman Lynn Womack (1923-1985) became the founder of Guild Press, a Washington, D.C. publishing house that catered almost exclusively to a gay male audience. He was a pioneer in fighting censorship and impediments to distribution of sexual literature, taking the U.S. Postal Service to court in MANual Enterprises v. Day (1962). This was one of the First Amendment cases that determined that erotica intended for gay males was "not obscene as a matter of law." The case was ultimately won upon appeal. His career divolved in a welter of financial difficulties; reportedly, he spent a few years hiding in St. Elizabeth's Hospital -- avoiding creditors and other troubles. This sort of ephemeral publication is rare, particularly in a complete file. Housed in a contemporary manilla envelope.
PROVENANCE: Estate of Jim Graham, former Washington, DC, Councilman Estimate $200-300
