Jacket blurb: 1959 compendium of dance instructions ‘for all the latest ways to cut a rug’.
“This is actually an old record sleeve image," says Gowan. "And I’ve included a diagram of the dance steps.” Photograph: PR
Religious claptrap in a leaflet, published by the Oasis Brotherhood. Founder Leon Mail claims to be the “fifth” horseman of the apocalypse and to have become enlightened during a visit to Southall in the 70s Photograph: PR
Jacket blurb The story of two Catholic sisters growing up in a swiftly changing postwar Britain. Guess what? It doesn’t end well.
“It’s a place name like Wigan Pier,” says Gowans, “so it immediately suggested a vintage Penguin paperback. That’s why it looks well-thumbed. It’s as close to genre pastiche as I get. I replaced the Penguin logo with an apple in homage to the Beatles record label.” Photograph: PR
Unauthorised biography of British comedian and TV personality Faith Brown. It’s unclear how much access the author, a George Michael, had to the subject. The passages relating to Brown’s ample hourglass figure seem exactingly thorough, but could equally be the irresponsible imaginings of an obsessive enthusiast… Photograph: PR
A 1967 collection of darkly varied work from four new-to-the-scene Scandinavian poets. Controversial at the time, its themes of clubland homosexuality (Dancing Queen), the rise of the consumer society (Money, Money, Money) and opposition to the military (Dum Dum Diddle) ensured its popularity among the student fraternity of Europe Photograph: PR
Fast-paced 1956 thriller: a jilted train driver hijacks his New York subway train to exact revenge upon his love rival, only to threaten the life of his ex-lover.
“This is an original book cover,” says Gowans. “I just changed the title. I feel a bit guilty but people seem to like it.” Photograph: PR
When a form of acid rain... appears to stunt the growth of every living thing, man’s existence is on a knife edge. Pygmies realise that the peach is unaffected, and found a new society, with the peach stone as its currency.
“It just screams late-60s/early 70s sci-fi - big, thick, stupid paperbacks,” according to Gowans. Photograph: PR
A rags to glory autobiography by Bruce Reginald Grayson Springsteen. The story of his rise from squalor to victory in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics is… well, it’s a pretty dull book Photograph: PR
Pocket guide to best business practice by four experts, each renowned for their corporate and financial nous.
“Given all the money Factory lost, the idea of New Order as business gurus just seemed very funny.” Photograph: PR
Pneumatic, insatiable Gloria Grunitsky’s wild rampage across Chicago’s fleshpots – chewing up men as she goes – leads to murderous mayhem she cannot control!... Photograph: PR
