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STILL SANE — PERSIMMON BLACKBRIDGE & SHEILA GILHOOLY
1985 FIRST PRINTING | PRESS GANG PUBLISHERS | FEMINIST ART & LGBTQ+ HISTORY
An exceptionally well-preserved copy of Still Sane, the landmark 1985 feminist art publication by Persimmon Blackbridge and Sheila Gilhooly, featuring photography by Kiku Hawkes.
FIRST PRINTING — NOVEMBER 1985, as explicitly stated on the copyright page. Published in Vancouver, British Columbia, by the independent feminist Press Gang Publishers.
Still Sane documents a collaborative series of 27 sculptures and accompanying narratives exploring women’s experiences of psychiatric institutionalization, lesbian identity, social stigma, bodily autonomy, and survival.
Originally exhibited at Women in Focus Gallery in Vancouver in 1984, the project combines autobiographical narrative, feminist political analysis, and photographic documentation of the original sculptures.
PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS
* Original 1985 first printing, not a modern reprint.
* Illustrated throughout with black-and-white sculpture photography and select full-color plates.
* Features original artwork and personal narratives by Blackbridge and Gilhooly.
* Back-cover endorsements by prominent writers and feminist artists, including Margaret Atwood, Judy Chicago, and Kate Millett.
* Published by Press Gang Publishers, an influential Canadian feminist publishing collective.
* Original publisher’s printed price of $12.95 on rear cover.
* ISBN: 0-88974-028-3.
ARTIST-ASSOCIATED OWNERSHIP INSCRIPTION
The book contains a handwritten ownership inscription reading “Carey McDougall,” apparently referring to contemporary feminist artist Carey E. McDougall, whose work addresses themes of gender, identity, and representation.
The book also contains selective underlining and marginal brackets highlighting passages concerning feminist critiques of psychiatry, women’s experiences, and artistic expression.
The identity of the original owner and authorship of the annotations have not been independently authenticated. This is not an author-signed copy.
CONDITION — VERY GOOD (SEE PHOTOGRAPHS)
Exceptionally well-preserved for a 1985 softcover publication.
* Clean, bright interior pages with minimal visible age-related discoloration.
* Original photographic reproductions and color plates appear vivid and intact.
* Binding appears sound; spine remains straight and legible.
* Original illustrated front and rear covers retained.
* Light exterior shelf wear, including minor corner and edge wear.
* Previous owner’s handwritten name and selective underlining/bracketing on several interior pages.
* No obvious major tears or water damage observed in the photographed areas.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the condition description.
COLLECTING INTEREST
A distinctive historical publication for collectors and researchers interested in feminist art, LGBTQ+ history, Canadian alternative publishing, women’s studies, psychiatric survivor activism, and socially engaged sculpture.
Publisher: Press Gang Publishers, Vancouver, Canada
Publication date: November 1985
Printing: First printing
Format: Illustrated softcover
Language: English
ISBN: 0-88974-028-3
Carefully packaged for shipment to protect the covers, spine, and interior plates.
