You're absolutely right, mjp. But I do have most of Bukowski 's collected books ( the cheap paperback editions) but somehow I have a fondness for those early mags because ( aside from Bukowski's work) I can read the works of those other poets of Buk's generation , ie Blazek, Levy, Richmond, etc. Almost every mag I've purchased has at least one or more of the so-called " meat" poets--their uncollected works, too.
But, you're right, it can get expensive, but I'm trying to be very cautious and to not overpay and purchase only those that are rarely seen on Abe, Amazon, or eBay.
For instance, there's an early Buk mag ( flame, 1959) up at auction right now on eBay that is already overpriced ( $50) because I've talked to a few of my collector / dealer friends and they informed me that not only is Buk's poem atypical ( a rhyming poem) but the mag is not that rare and can be bought ( if you know the right sources) for under $50. But --no doubt-the way the bidding is going someone is going to overpay ( perhaps $100 or more) believing because it was published in 1959 it's rare. This is what I'm attempting to avoid.
--Days