1968 The Diggers Papers Publication

This lot features an August 1968 edition of The Diggers Papers, a publication created by the 1960s improvisational theatre group The Diggers from San Francisco.

These days the Diggers are little-known. But in 1966 - 1968, such was the Diggers’ presence and notoriety that seemingly every reporter filing a story on the Haight included the Diggers in their account. "A band of hippie do-gooders", said Time magazine. "A true peace corps", wrote local daily newspaper columnist (and future Rolling Stone editor) Ralph J. Gleason. The Beatles’ press officer Derek Taylor would write, "The Diggers were in my opinion the core of the whole underground counterculture because they were our conscience". 

The Diggers known as "The High Priests of Counter-Culture" were founded in San Francisco in the 1960's. Most of the members were also part of the San Francisco Mime Troupe. The Digger's believed everything should be free and so they operated a free store and held parties with free food and free music by The Dead Janis and the Airplane. 

Importantly the Diggers also sought to remain anonymous and each used the alias "George Metesky" who was known as the "Mad Bomber of New York." Metesky terrorized NYC for 16 years in the 1940's and 1950's planting over 30 pipe bombs at important landmarks in the City.

8.5 x 10.88

Not Graded

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