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Sex and Seditionaires
By Simon Easton (aka Punk Pistol) 2007 Late last year I bought a numbered, autographed with a free CD ROM coffee table punk book (surely a contradiction) which cost �100. Which was a significant chunk of change for the average punk punter on a budget like myself. It was a very glamorous book celebrating old school very sought after specific objects of retro memorabilia, which probably had one eye on the Japanese collectors market when first published in 2007 and partially explains its original very high retail price. But this was no ordinary punk book it was the very limited edition 'Sex and Seditionaires' by Punk Pistol which according to a promo email I had received from a friend just a year or so earlier was retailing at a staggering �250 PLUS P+P which put it way out of my league. At the time Christmas 08 was coming up in a few months so I attempted to persuade my wife and son to try and buy a new copy for me I'd found on the net that was being sold at a very reduced price as my present, which they thankfully did. Since the book was first published there has been a very bitter and very public falling out between the author and Malcolm McLaren. Talcy Malcy who wrote the introduction and originally gave the book his blessing took the books author Punk Pistol to task over the alleged authenticity of some of the items of clothing featured. And a sale of some dodgy garments to the multi millionaire artist Damien Hirst, in which he was implicated. Hirst with his massive wealth was buying himself an instant original punk era collection and had apparently got stung with a few plastic bags stuffed full of repro's for what seems a relatively paltry sum in his world. In relation to his multi-million pound personal fortune it was reported the alleged fraud was thought to be in the region of between 40.000 and �80.000. "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" The dispute/investigation seems to be still ongoing but in the few emails I had with him last year concerning my minor purchase. I found Punk Pistol to be a very reasonable and friendly guy, I had no problems with him whatsoever. So I don't know if its just another manufactured publicity seeking hype from the self proclaimed rock'n'roll swindler? Or if there is real genuine substance to the fascinating globe spanning fakes conspiracy story. Whatever, it's a hell of a tale (which Nihilism On The Prowl had quickly latched onto). No doubt we'll find out the truth one way or another through time. Sorry about the diversion, back to the review. It's not often you buy a book that is the same size and weight as a small child. But 'Sex And Seditionaires' is a book so lavish in it's presentation that it's hard to argue with its high sale price. It must have cost an absolute fortune to produce, there's a lot of attention to detail. No expense has been spared in it's design from the very high quality glossy paper of every page, the binding, the hard cardboard box protective cover and repro sex brown paper bag complete with logos. Along side the artificial cosmetic folds and deliberate rips and tears. It's a beautiful thing to look at, you've probably never seen the 'Let It Rock/Sex/Seditionaries' clothes look so good unless you saw them pristine and new hanging on a rail in the shop itself. Though in saying that, with the quality of the photos being so good some of the very early items look a bit ropey and really badly made. Although that could be intentional or could just be down to the age and wear and tear on the garments displayed? I know for sure I wouldn't have bought them looking like that but that's just personal taste (but then again that wasn't really the point was it!?). Not that I could have afforded to buy them on a school boys pocket Money, not until Feb. '78 anyway. All those shocking classic designs you may/may not remember are here in all their many graphic variations and revolutionary, exciting, confrontational glory! Some of which I know I hadn't seen seen before. There are also a number of written essays featured from "Ted Pohelmous, Steve Severin, John Savage, Jonhn Ingham, Glen Matlock". As well as photographed items from the collections of Johnny Thunders, Helen Of Troy, Jordan, Marco Pirroni, Kirk Brandon, Topper Headon, Gene October, Kenny Morris, Toyah, all the Sex Pistols and more.... With only 1000 holy grail 1st edition copies printed and probably all long gone. Sourcing a very good condition copy with all the extras included at a reasonable price like I gratefully did is going to be like finding hens teeth as the on going legal dispute may have put an end to a proposed republished mass market second edition. Best of luck with your search punk! JOE DONNELLY (BELFAST) 7/5/09. I have read a number of online features for and against each party involved in the fakes controversy since writing the above review. And it would indeed make an intriguing book in itself. Do a bit of internet detective work and check out the accusations flying back and forward for yourself. I'll stick to buying what I know are genuine fakes! JOE DONNELLY (BELFAST) 13/5/09. |