Oz Magazine, complete set of 48 issues, ed. Richard Neville et al.

NEVILLE, Richard, Jim ANDERSON, Felix DENNIS, and Roger HUTCHINSON, editors. Oz Magazine. London, Oz Publications Ink Ltd, 1967-73.

First edition, a complete set of 48 issues (plus an extra copy of issue 34), of the most revolutionary, technically elaborate, and scandalous British counterculture magazine.

The underground satirical magazine Oz made its debut in Sydney, Australia, in 1963. A second, better known, edition emerged in London four years later.

The British Oz Magazine was under the editorial guidance of the Australian writer and social commentator Richard Neville, who also served as the editor of the Australian version. Artistically supervised by another Australian expatriate, the pioneering graphic artist Martin Sharp, the magazine initially aimed to rival Private Eye as a satirical publication within the London market. However, Oz swiftly evolved into a psychedelic magazine while maintaining its satirical tone throughout its tenure, particularly in its commentary on the excesses of hippy philosophy.

Its run extended to forty-eight issues until its closure in 1973, attributed to a debt of £20,000. Contributors included writers Germaine Greer and David Widgery, illustrators Michael Leunig and Stewart Mackinnon, and psychedelic artists Barney Bubbles and John Hurford. Firmly entrenched within the underground movement, Oz found itself embroiled in two high-profile obscenity trials. The first occurred in Australia in 1964, followed by another in the United Kingdom in 1971. Despite initial convictions, the magazine’s editors were ultimately acquitted on appeal.

Condition: Occasional light wear but generally very good.

The present set is complete with the following additions loosely inserted:

Issue 4: With ‘Oz sheet no 1’ insert.

Issue 8: With Che Guevara poster. 

Issue 11: With Dayglo Martin Sharp ‘sticker’ cover. There are five colour variations: green, yellow, orange, red (as here), and pink.

Issue 21: With Running Man promotional booklet and Outcry insert. 

Issue 24: With a large fold out poster of Honey Bunch Kaminski.

Issue 29. With Hendrix ‘Band of Gypsys’ insert.

Issue 30: With fold out poster of Jimi Hendrix.

Issue 36: With fold out poster of Janis Joplin / Rupert.

Issue 43: With centrefold Rock n Roll shows advert.

Issue 44: With centrefold Cozmic advert.