Homestead Book Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing, Distribution, Retail |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | David Tatelman |
| Defunct | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
| Products | Books, magazines, videos, games, novelty merchandise, mushroom cultivation kits |
Homestead Book Company operated as both a publisher and wholesale distributor, offering a range of products including books, magazines, videos, games, and novelty merchandise. Established in 1972 and ceasing operations in 2017,[1] the company was based in Seattle, Washington. It focused primarily on distributing countercultural literature, providing more than 3,000 titles to retail outlets as well as managing its own mail-order service.
History
David Tatelman founded Homestead Book Company in 1972. Initially, the firm acted as a distributor for underground comix produced by Rip Off Press. Tatelman personally delivered these comix to various clients spanning from Olympia to Bellingham within Washington state.[2] Shortly thereafter, the company expanded into book distribution, with its first title being The Complete Guide to Growing Marijuana authored by David Fleming. Additionally, Homestead Book Company was among the earliest distributors of High Times Magazine.[3]
Mushroom kits
At the 1977 Teononacatl Mushroom Conference, Tatelman connected with author Bob Harris, leading to their collaboration on offering home cultivation kits for Psilocybe mushrooms. These kits were developed based on the cultivation techniques detailed in Harris' publication Growing Wild Mushrooms. The initial kits launched in 1978 and were marketed through advertisements placed in High Times Magazine. Presently, these products continue to be available under the brand name EZ-Gro Mushroom Kits.
Published books
Over time, Homestead Book Company released numerous publications, including several focused on the cultivation and growth of Psilocybe mushrooms.
- Miller, Richard; and Tatelman, David. Magical Mushroom Handbook, 1977. ISBN 978-0930180010
- Stamets, Paul. Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Allies, 1978. ISBN 978-0930180034
- Jackson, Michael; Cottone, Vince; and Chieger, Bob. Good Beer Guide: Breweries and Pubs of the Pacific Northwest, 1986. ISBN 978-0930180096
- Chieger, Bob. Poor Man's Gourmet Guide to Seattle Restaurants, 1986. ISBN 978-0930180089
- Flenniken, Shary. Seattle Laughs: Comic Stories About Seattle, 1994. ISBN 978-0930180133
Philanthropy
In the Seattle community, Homestead played a role as a co-sponsor for events such as the Fourth of July fireworks celebration and Seattle Hempfest.
References
- ↑ Homestead Book Company official website, accessed 2017-06-13
- ↑ Steve Krupp’s Curio Shoppe. "Seattle Simpleton Tabloid No.1 (1975)". Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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