[COUNTER-CULTURE & POST-PUNK] THE NEW MANCHESTER REVIEW ARCHIVE
 
An exceptional association run documenting the genesis of British Post-Punk, and the North West underground press scene. Published by Andrew Jaspan and Steve Forster, Manchester between 1975–1978.
 
Description
 
Forty-seven issues. Quarto. Original pictorial newsprint and coloured paper wraps. Fully illustrated throughout. General light age-toning, edge-wear, and minor handling creases consistent with contemporary newsprint distribution, otherwise remarkably clean and bright; stable, and well-preserved.
This archive represents a sequence of the New Manchester Review, spanning from its inception in the autumn of 1975 to its cultural maturity in the winter of 1978. Operating at the epicentre of the British post-punk and independent publishing revolution, the Review served as a fierce, radical alternative to the corporate local press. It captures the foundational shifts in Manchester's independent infrastructure right before the establishment of Factory Records, documenting the emergence of a localised counterculture that would permanently alter global music, style, and independent media.
Issue No. 1 (November 7–20, 1975), with association correspondence. The landmark issue served as a direct shot at the mainstream entertainment industry, uncovering the inner-circle cartel of local music promoters, venue managers, and booking agents who monopolised the North West circuit. Folded into Issue No. 1 is an unrecorded and intimate handwritten letter on official New Manchester Review letterhead (176 Oxford Road). Written by co-founder Andrew Jaspan (later editor of The Observer and The Scotsman) to "M". The text captures the energy of launch week:
 
“Dearest M, Here it is at last. It will improve, we hope !! Am very tired so will leave the Blanter tale for the weekend or else a phone call. With all my love, Andrew. P.S. Your subscription was warmly appreciated. Have sent copies to Nick & Tim.”
 
The David Bowie cover (May 7–20, 1976). An early-era monochrome desert portrait of David Bowie. Published to coincide with the regional theatrical release of Nicolas Roeg’s avant-garde cinematic masterpiece, The Man Who Fell to Earth. 
Issue No. 22 (October 22 – November 4, 1976). The Punk Rock Boot cover. Universally regarded as a holy grail publication of British subculture. Featuring the legendary, minimalist graphic of a giant letter "P" shaped around a boot, this issue represents the defining first front-page "PUNK ROCK" headline in the regional independent press. Published in the immediate wake of the Sex Pistols' tectonic summer performances at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall.
Issue No. 48. The Jordan / Women in Rock cover, a vital documentation of feminist punk iconography, accompanied by an exclusive interview with anti-psychiatry pioneer R.D. Laing.
Issue No. 53. The Devo Interview cover, featuring a sci-fi themed layout tracking the American band's historic arrival into the UK consciousness.
Issue No. 54.  The Elvis Costello cover, an iconic portrait edition published at the height of his career, immediately following the release of This Year's Model.
Archive Inventory:
1975: Nos. 1 (Music Mafia cover + Letter), 2 (Nov 21).
1976: Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22 (Punk Rock Boot), 23 (Anniversary copy), 25. Plus calendar runs: April 9, May 7 (Bowie), June 4, July 2, July 30, August 27, November 7, December 5.
1977: Nos. 37 (Chris Sievey/Frank Sidebottom art), 38, 39, 40, 42 (Big Youth Reggae), 44 (Marcus Garvey), 45, 46, 47 (Christmas Double). Plus calendar runs: Jan 16, May 19, August Issue, September Folk Special.
1978: Nos. 48 (Jordan), 49 (Star Wars), 50 (Altrincham Aces), 53 (Devo), 54 (Elvis Costello), 55 (Patti Smith), 56 (Quentin Crisp), 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 68, 69, 70, 71 (Johnny Rotten). Plus calendar runs: Jan 30, Feb 13, Feb 27.