Lot 72

A near-complete run of the Boston tabloid Fag Rag. 1971-1986.

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A near-complete run of the Boston tabloid Fag Rag. 1971-1986.

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500

Starting Bid: $1,100

(0 Bids)

by Swann Auction Galleries
August 13, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
Live Auction
104 East 25th Street
New York, NY, US 10010



A near-complete run of the Boston tabloid Fag Rag.

30 issues (issues 1-6, 7/8, 9-15, 16/17, 18-29, 40, 41, and 42/43), each about 16 to 32 pages; minor wear, corner chipping to first issue without loss of text. Boston, June 1971 to 1986

Issued by the Fag Rag Collective, which at various points included Charley Shively, Michael Bronski, Thom Nickels, John Mitzel, and others. Issue 5 features an interview with author Christopher Isherwood; Issue 7/8 interviews Gore Vidal. Issue 9 is the "Stonewall 5th Anniversary Issue."

Fag Rag was issued and numbered irregularly. This set appears to be lacking only the 1983 12th anniversary issue, which was numbered "30-39"; and 44, believed to be the final issue. It also includes 3 unnumbered supplements: a February/March 1978 "Emergency Supplement" which followed 21/22; a Fall 1978 supplement of "Revolutionary Sexual Terrorism" following 23/24; and a separately paginated printing of the play "Folie a Deux" by Maya Silverthorne which accompanied the 27/28 "Dramatic Issue."

This lot also includes the inaugural issue of the related Boston Gay Review from fall 1976 (sent to all Fag Rag subscribers), plus two promotional circulars.

  • Dimensions: Each about 17 x 11 1/2 in. (43.2 x 29.2 cm.)
  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000