The San Francisco Oracle: Vol. 1, No. 6 (1967)

Title: The San Francisco Oracle

Author: Cohen, Allen, ed.

Publication: San Francisco: The Oracle Co-operative Publishing Company, 1967.

Description: "Aquarian Age" issue of the San Francisco Oracle, an underground newspaper from the Haight-Ashbury district, containing articles, essays, interviews, poetry, and news, surrounded by psychedelic artwork. Vol. 1, No. 6. One of at least three printings of this issue. Printed in color on newsprint, with numerous illustrations, some full-page by Rick Griffin, Ida Griffin, and others. 15.25 x 11.5 inches; 26, [6] pages. Moderate toning and small tears and chips at the spine and edges not affecting the text. Very Good. A collectible copy of this important countercultural newspaper. This is the first issue of the San Francisco Oracle organized around a theme. The theme, according to editor Allen Cohen, was an astrological speculation on the Aquarian Age. It contains articles by astrologers Ambrose Hollingworth, Gayla (pseudonym for Rosalind Sharpe Wells), and Gavin Arthur. This issue also includes "New Geology," by Chester Anderson, an ode to acid rock; "LSD, Revolution, and God," an interview with Paul Krassner; "Ecstatic Isolation & Incarnation," by Kent Chapman, about methamphetamine addiction; and "The Basic Myth-- According to the Tradition of Ancient India," by Alan Watts. The San Francisco Oracle, a worker-owned cooperative newspaper, was published in 12 issues between September 1966 and February 1968, with circulation peaking at between 100,000 and 125,000. Starting with this issue, the paper began experimenting with multicolor split-fountain printing processes that resulted in rainbow-like psychedelic illustrations.