Memoir of gay bar owner Branson, whose establishment Helen’s was long a San Francisco institution. A scarce title, it provides a valuable picture of gay life in the 1950’s. The first book issued from Pan-Graphic Press, publisher of the landmark gay journal Mattachine Review. From a first printing of 1600 copies, many of which we suspect remained unsold and were destroyed given this title’s scarcity. [Young 295*]. Recently reissued by The University of Wisconsin Press, it remains an important source. The first edition remains uncommon, especially in jacket.
