Remember These? New York Times Book Ads from the 1960s
Book press today consists of bestseller lists, authors recommending other authors, reviewer opinions, and release day events and sales. Back in the ’60s, we saw more author pictures, advertisements, and gimmicks (aparently, I mean I wasn’t around to remember).
The New York Times has compiled some of these ads and articles onto one page, including the one seen here for Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. This ad ran on February 18, 1962. Look closely and you can see an approving quote from Jack Kerouac, and a hardcover, new release sale price of $4.95. Autographed copies today sell for upwards of $18,000.
Browse the entire collection at the Times online. You’ll find photographs of authors smoking, claims to be better than sex, prices one-tenth of today’s, and blurbs of rememberance by Times editors. Don’t miss the ad asking legendary writers William Faulkner and Truman Capote to move over for the now virtually unknown Harry Crews.


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