Various (Peters, Robert et al.)

Electrum: The Quarterly Poetry Magazine, No. 37, Fall 1985

ISBN: (ISSN)87755824
Tustin, CA: Medina Press, 1985. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. Inscribed & signed by Robert Peters to James Perrizo. This number of the acclaimed poetry magazine (dubbed "Biggest Issue Ever!" on front cover) features an article-interview of Robert Peters conducted by Penelope Moffet. Peters (1924-2014) was a great American writer who left us a prolific body of innovative poetry, plays, criticism & scholarship. This article focuses on Peters' then-contemporary performance of his own one-person play about Erzebet Bathory (1560-1613), a real-life Hungarian aristocrat known as "The Blood Countess" who had hundreds of young women killed so that she could bathe in their "virginal" blood. In his play, Peters performed in drag as Bathory. Peters provides deep insight into why he chose to portray such a ghoulish historical figure, & the phenomenon of human & societal cruelty in general. With photographs of Peters in & out of his Countess costume by David Brown, Paul Trachtenberg (who was Peters' companion) & Charter Weeks; & with startling front cover image of Peters as the Countess by Brown. On the contents page, over a blank area of a photo of Peters (as himself in civilian garb) & extending onto blank side margin, Peters has hand-inscribed & signed: "yes, Jim-/ I love my/ wig./ doodle-flourish/ (signed) Robert Peters/ flourish." "Jim" is James Perrizo (1944-2006), a devoted Beat-&-Beyond collector & scholar who was a friend of Peters, with whom he corresponded extensively. The "wig" referred to in this warm inscription of course refers to the lavish hairpiece that Peters wore while in performance as the Blood Countess personae. This issue also contains many contributions by poets including John Balaban, Wanda Coleman & Arthur Knight; reviews; notes on contributors; letters; illustrations etc. A rare & important Peters-related collectors' item, especially with this rich inscription, association & provenance; & a key to understanding some of the main ideas behind his oeuvre. In fine condition with only mild-to-moderate rubbing, scratching & faint, short creases to front, back covers & stapled spine; mild wear, creasing & a few tiny bumps at-around edges & corners of same; a few tiny spots at upper & side edges of text block. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of some page leaves; small, faint creases at-around upper right edges & corners of first few of same. Fine. [Item #3295]

Price: $40.00 save 20% $32.00