Ginsberg, Allen

Program, Broadside & Ephemera for Allen Ginsberg Memorial and Concert, May 24, 1997 at Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI: Jewel Heart; The Alternative Press, 1997. First Printings. Stapled Wrappers; Single Sheets. During May 24, 1997, less than two months after his passing on April 5, a major Allen Ginsberg Memorial event took place in the venerable Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Offered here are three rare mementos of this reverent gathering to honor the memory of a Founding Father of the Beat Generation: (1) The program for the event, featuring reproduction of a signed Ginsberg drawing with his exemplary symbols on front cover; the program featuring Buddhist, Jewish & Christian ceremonies followed by a concert-reading featuring Natalie Merchant, Patti Smith & her band including Lenny Kaye, Anne Waldman & others; a Buddhist "Seven Limb Prayer" text; the poem "Gone Gone Gone" by Ginsberg; & a short essay by Kathleen Laritz of Jewel Heart, the Buddhist organization in Ann Arbor which produced & sponsored this event, which Ginsberg was involved in & often visited during his later life. Also present is a single sheet, folded vertically in half with printing on all four sides, with the poems of "Poetry Contest Runners Up." (2) An original broadside (8&1/2" x 11") with Ginsberg's "Gone Gone Gone" poem surrounded by reproductions of some of his illustrations, published & printed by Ken & the late Ann Mikolowski's legendary Alternative Press. (3) A single sheet (also 8&1/2" x 11") flyer announcing the event, headlining Smith & Merchant & with a reference to Shaman Drum, the late Ann Arbor bookstore of our late beloved friend & mentor Karl Pohrt. A poignant collection of rare relics from this landmark event in the immediate wake of Allen Ginsberg's death, obtained from the collection of Ken Mikolowski himself. (1) in very fine condition with only a tiny, barely discernible amount of rubbing to front, back covers & stapled spine; single folded sheet with only one area of small creases & bumps at thin edges of lower corners. (2) in very fine condition, printed (recto only) on fine, thick, textured paper with only a few short, very faint creases at & near upper edge; small, faint crease-bump at lower left corner. (3) in very fine condition, printed on regular yellow paper (recto only) with only a few very short, faint creases near upper & left side surfaces; one small bump-crease at lower left corner. Very Fine. [Item #3321]

Price: $100.00 save 20% $80.00