Haselwood, Dave

The Auerhahn Press: A Constant Flying by Night

Coventry, England: Beat Scene Press, 2017. Numbered Limited Edition (#53/100). Stapled Wrappers. In 2001, Kevin Ring interviewed a then 70-year old Dave Haselwood on his beginnings as a publisher and his perspective and observations of the "incipient" Beat scene of the early 1950s. Haselwood is noted as a member of the Kansas natives that included Michael McClure, Bruce Conner & Charles Plymell--all of whom eventually ended up in San Francisco. As related in this interview, Haselwood was sent a poem and engraving by Conner & McClure while serving with the occupation forces in Germany. McClure suggested that Haselwood might want to publish the poem, and to use the "...excellent craft of German printers to accomplish something special." The project never realized, but when Haselwood returned to San Francisco in 1957, he moved into the Wentley Hotel on Polk Street (now famous for John Wieners' "The Hotel Wentley Poems"). Wieners was staying in Haselwood's room at the Wentley while Haselwood was away for a short time, and upon returning, Wieners asked if he could help him get it printed. Haselwood agreed, 500 copies were printed--and praise from such major voices as Frank O'Hara, Allen Ginsberg & Charles Olson soon followed. Haselwood relates these cardinal beginnings and the triumph and tumult soon to follow that became the story of the Auerhahn Press in remarkably clear & candid detail. This interview is an absolutely integral reference point for anyone interested in the landscape of contemporary American poetry at that time and to fully understanding what is now known as the "San Francisco Renaissance." Book in very fine condition with only slightest rubbing to leftmost fine-edge of front cover just right of staple (as issued). Very Fine. [Item #3012]

Price: $35.00