Happy Birthday


Herbert Huncke was a junkie and a conman to the bitter end. In celebration of his 80th birthday, these birthday cards were made up and sold to prospective well-wishers. From what I am told, the card was one more scheme to scrounge up some drug money. The marks were no doubt book collectors who had to feed their own habits. As you can see I can totally buy into the con, but what always amazes me is that Huncke made it to his 80th birthday at all. Late in life he was given a drug test and he failed spectacularly. Into old age he remained a walking pharmacy. He was scolded by his doctor, to which Huncke whined something to the effect of "I am an old man, for god's sake leave me alone."
JB

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