Kyger, Joanne

The Fool in April

San Francisco, CA: Coyote's Journal, 1966. First Printing. Folded Single Sheet. (1/200 unnumbered copies). One of a limited edition of only 200 printed by Andrew Hoyem for Coyote's Journal. In 1966, "Andrew Hoyem went into partnership with the legendary San Francisco fine printer Robert Grabhorn, then 66 years old, whose Grabhorn Press had operated from 1920 to 1965. It was under the tutelage of Grabhorn that Hoyem, who had no formal training in the craft, began to acquire his knowledge of printing history. Grabhorn-Hoyem specialized in typographical design, fine printing, and the publication of limited edition books, among them a celebrated edition of Allen Ginsberg's "Howl", published in 1971. They added printing equipment and the type collection from the Grabhorn Press, including historic types acquired from the famous early 20th-century San Francisco printer John Henry Nash." (http://www.arionpress.com/hoyem) A poet himself, Hoyem was well-aware of the importance of what was happening in San Francisco & the literary world at the time. He capitalized on this creative ferment, befriending and printing Beat & Beyond authors and honing his craft to produce myriad luxurious finely bound books. This production, even with its minimalist nature in comparison to his more ornate projects, is inarguably alluring with its high-quality paper and smooth, uncut pages. The true test lies not only in the aesthetic exterior but the poem that lies within it, and Joanne Kyger, former wife of Gary Snyder & critically-acclaimed and excellent poet in her own right, delivers "The Fool in April," a piece she composed in the south of France while visiting there on April 1, 1966. An exceptionally rare Kyger & San Francisco Renaissance collectible. In very fine condition with only one light indentation near top left corner of first page of poem near fine-edge; smallest scuff approximately 1.5" left of colophon; else substantially mint. Very Fine. [Item #2775]

Price: $40.00 save 20% $32.00