[Item #3046] 26 Bars. Kenward Elmslie, Donna Dennis.
26 Bars
26 Bars
26 Bars
26 Bars

26 Bars

Calais, VT: Z Press, 1987. First Edition / Association Copy. Signed (Twice) by Kenward Elmslie. From the Collection of Ken & Ann Mikolowski, founders of Detroit's Visionary "Alternative Press," Publishers & Friends of Many Beat/"New York School"/"Black Mountain"-affiliated Authors. "26 Bars is an alphabet work of drinking establishments situated in a fantasy USA. The collaboration between Donna Dennis (artist) and Kenward Elmslie (poet) breaks down the barrier between image and narrative, so that each drawing and tale coheres with back-and-forth intensity. Their pub crawl from A (Amazon Club) to Z (Zanzibars) includes Big Bar, a Texas saloon where everything, including the drinks, is gigantic, Diskettes, a computer bar frequented by media biggies addicted to word processors, Kudzu Klub, a hang-out for lunatic fringe militarists, Puce Parrot, a Palm Beach boite popular with gay octogenarians who compete in its annual Somerset Maugham Look-Alike Contest, and YX, formerly Le Club Onyx, a stomping ground for jazz greats, now a Laundromat disco where over-achievers unwind amid enhanced rubble." This exuberant publication from Kenward Elmslie, the most underrated of the group of poets constellating around the "New York School" moniker was done in collaboration with Donna Dennis, whose artworks are interspersed throughout the volume. The copy offered here is from the collection of Ken & Ann Mikolowski, friends and publishers of Kenward and many other major figures of the "New American Poetry." It is signed twice in thin black felt pen ink by Elmsie to Mikolowski and reads: "BIG KEN / "Have an igloo Beer" / Love / - Kenward / Your Naropa / Roomie (#119) / 7/27/91 / Boulder, Co." The second signature, on the title page, reads "Kenward Elmslie." Book in very fine condition with only slight shelf-wear throughout; minor rubbing to front, back covers. [Item #3046]

Price: $125.00

See all items in Poetry
See all items by ,