Gallery 98 has recently acquired a large collection of the East Village Eye, the much-coveted independent DIY newspaper founded in 1979 by the late Leonard Abrams (1954 – 2023). During the 1980s, when the East Village was the center for cultural change and innovation, the Eye covered it all – music, art, fashion and politics. The paper ceased regular publication in 1987, but in 2022 its archives were acquired by the New York Public Library, confirming the newspaper’s importance, and assuring its place in the city’s cultural history.
Over the years, samples of the Eye have become rarer and rarer. The large collection of the Eye that Gallery 98 has acquired is most likely from the last depository of multiple back issues. While we were not able to obtain every paper published, we were able to replenish many previously sold-out copies, and can now offer over 50 of the Eye’s original total of 72 newspapers. We have also been able to obtain some issues in large enough quantities that make it possible to temporarily reduce the price of selected items.
See our complete inventory of the East Village Eye
East Village Eye, Issue Number 1, James White (cover), Jackie Curtis, East Village Film, May 1979. One copy of this premier issue is now available for $150.
East Village Eye, Fashion, John Ahearn’s South Bronx Hall of Fame, Jenny Holzer and Coleen Fitzgibbon’s Manifesto Show, Walter Robinson (Back Cover), June 1979 — Available Now for $60
East Village Eye, Cover by Alan Suicide (Vega), Centerfold by Taylor Mead, Tina L’Hotsky, Seth Tobocman, July 1979 — Available Now for $60
East Village Eye, John Lurie and The Lounge Lizards (Cover), Centerfold by Christof Kohlhofer, Rosa Von Praunheim, Dead Kennedys, September 1979 — Available Now for $60
East Village Eye, Richard Hell’s Slum Journal, Glenn O’Brien’s TV Party, Animal X, March 1980 — One copy available now for $100
East Village Eye, War & Fashion, Richard Hell’s Slum Journal, John Cale, April 1980 — One copy available now for $100
East Village Eye, Tina L’Hotsky, Gary Indiana, April 1980 — One copy available now for $100
East Village Eye, John Holmstrom’s “Death of Punk” (cover), Chris Burden and Slugger Ann, June 1980 — Two copies available now at $100 each
East Village Eye, Video/Sex, Special Double Summer Issue (with double cover), David McDermott, Richard Hell’s Slum Journal, Glenn O’Brien’s TV Party Manifesto, Times Square Show, James Nares, Chichi Valenti, Gay Shame, Lingerie Spread, July 1980 — Available now for $60
East Village Eye, Art or Fashion, Picasso Sucks (cover), Betsy Johnson, World War III, September 1980 — Available now for $60
East Village Eye, “Foreigners Invade New York,” Centerfold by Christy Rupp, Fashion Moda, Edit deAk, Gary Indiana, Rudolf (of Danceteria), November 1980 — Available now for $100
East Village Eye, David Byrne (cover), photograph by Marcia Resnick, Centerfold by Rebecca Howland, with Bob Marley interview, April 1982 — Available now for $60
East Village Eye, Helmut Newton (Cover), Centerfold by Harvey Wang, Feature on Phase 2 by Steve Hager, November 1982 — Available at $150
East Village Eye, Robert Mapplethorpe (Cover), Richard Hambleton, Alan Vega, Freda Kahlo, April 1983 — Available for $150
East Village Eye, Centerfold by John Sex, with Jenny Holzer & Lady Pink, D.A. Pennebaker, September 1983 — Available now for $60
East Village Eye, 5th Anniversary Issue, Cover by Futura 2000; Centerfold by Walter Robinson, Barbara Kruger, Bill Rice, May 1984 — Two issues available at $100 each
